What are the limits of freedom of speech?

"I think everyone should grow up and shut up. I swear, if you can't handle criticism, you should think why that might be rather than railing at your critic. Whether it's your fragile religious beliefs or race-based counter-culture, I'm not interested in hearing it and I'll damn well tell you so, because I am British and I will damn well speak my piece."

Carl, Swindon
Recommended by 53 people

- Do you think if I called Carl a moronic, racist c*** he would pause and think why that might be? Or do you think he would rail against his critic by attempting to punch me repeatedly in the face?


"Freedom of speech - where ? Certainly not in the UK anymore; everything is now considered racist."

PAUL, LONDON
Recommended by 6 people

- Really? Everything? or just everything you say, Paul?


"Who was it that said."I do not agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say" ?"

Spike Milligan, Lee-on-the-Solent., United Kingdom
Recommended by 26 people

- I'd just Google it, Spike.


"I agree that hate speech is wrong, but nowadays no one is allowed any freedom of speech without the PC brigade ready to pounce."

Felicity Who, Lancaster, United Kingdom
Recommended by 17 people

- Translation :- "I'm not racist but you can't even call a chap a 'darkie' now without someone getting upset!"


"Freedom of speech, a joke, and no longer exists in the U.K. Sacrificed on the religious alter of polical correctness"

Ron C, Northwest, United Kingdom
Recommended by 67 people

- Ron's right! How on Earth have we let this Stazi-like control silently creep into every aspect of our daily lives?

Perhaps we should move to a far more liberal country, like China or North Korea? Or why not one of the last bastions of civilization and free speech, like the Ivory Coast? No dilly-dallying with the namby-pamby PC brigade there.

Or maybe...just maybe, Rons Haiku-like hyperbole is a result of his annoyance that he doesn't have anything remotely controversial to say and will drift back into his conformist little life once the excitement and anarchy of pressing the "Add Your Comment" button has died down.