Freedom Of Speech: Explained Thru GIFS

Freedom of speech is a powerful thing, but it's not the end all be all of freedoms. It has limits. Here are some gifs to explain those limits. *Naturally it's all much more complicated than this and ever-evolving. But these are the basics*

Freedom of Speech is Fantastic

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Most of us can agree on this one. It's pretty freaking awesome

It's Even In The Number One Amendment

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As we all know, being number one is the best!

It Even Has A Bunch Of Cool Friends

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The First Amendment isn't just freedom of speech, it's also freedom of religion, freedom of the press and freedom to assemble.

It's Basically the Fonzie of the First Amendment

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When talking about freedom of speech many people just say "First Amendment", like when Fonzie took over Happy Days!

But The Freedom of Speech Isn't Bulletproof

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Like the best Swiss Cheese, it has some holes in it.

For Example:

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You can't threaten to kill the president, or anyone else for that matter. This, of course, is also known as verbal assault. It's illegal.

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Plagiarism: Not protected by the First Amendment

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Neither is lying (especially when it involves commercial products)

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And there is a whole list of other thing that also aren't protected by the First Amendment: child pornography, obscenity, slander, libel, "fighting words" (for real), and much more.

Well That's Fine, But I Can Say Anything Else I Want And Nothing Can Happen To Me Right?

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Not Exactly

Let's Take A Look At That Duck Dynasty Dude

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You Know, The One With The Beard

As You Know He Said Some Messed Up Nonsense Recently

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And got put on probation for it

And Many Conservatives Went Ballistic

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Apparently His First Amendment Rights Were Being Violated

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Once again, nope!

Freedom of Speech Doesn't Protect You From Repercussions

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He can't legally get in trouble, he didn't threaten anybody in a specific believable way, but that doesn't mean nothing will happen to him, outside the legal system

You Can Still Get Legally Fired For Saying Dumb Things

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Like calling your boss "an asshole", constantly harassing other employees or putting your company in a bad light by, you know, saying "Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men."

So The Next Time Someone Tries To Tell You Phil Robertson Shouldn't Be Fired

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Just Remember: Freedom of speech is like the best Swiss Cheeses, full of holes. Or show them this list, whatever.

For Further Reading

Go Here and here