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Internet T-shirt Vendor Profits from Mohammed Cartoon Conflict
To see the latest creation from conservative t-shirt maker MetroSpy some would think the Muslim world had every right to be upset. MetroSpy's new t-shirts depict an unflattering caricature of the prophet Mohammed with a bomb on his head...
“We can't let the terrorists win. We can not encourage this uncivilized behavior by caving in to their wishes,” said Nate Thomas, product manager for MetroSpy
On their website (www.shopmetrospy.com...), MetroSpy denounces the tactics of Islamic extremists and encourages its customers to stand up against terrorism. "Failing to print these images mean the terrorists have won", the site says.
“We wanted a simple way to exercise our freedom of speech and to stand up to the terrorists. This design was perfect,” said Thomas.
Originally posted by Boatphone
I support these shirts. There is nothing wrong with them...
Originally posted by loam
I think you are missing my point.
There is a difference between offending someone as a consequence of my free speech and intentionally doing so.
So far, the Mohammed t-shirt has become their best selling item of the year -- more than 120 orders the first day it became available.
Originally posted by junglejake
Well, I do support the T-Shirt. The reason being not the image, but the message that the freedom of speech will not be cowed in the face of terror.
speech
n.
1. A. The faculty or act of speaking.
B. The faculty or act of expressing or describing thoughts, feelings, or perceptions by the articulation of words.
These include the lewd and obscene, the profane, the libelous, and the insulting or 'fighting' words-those which by their very utterance inflict injury or tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace. 4 It has been well observed that such utterances are no essential part of any exposition of ideas
The offense known as breach of the peace embraces a great variety of conduct destroying or menacing public order and tranquility. It includes not only violent acts but acts and words likely to produce violence in others. No one would have the hardihood to suggest that the principle of freedom of speech sanctions incitement to riot
FindLaw
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION--SPEECH AND PRESS
Adoption and the Common Law Background
Madison's version of the speech and press clauses, introduced in the House of Representatives on June 8, 1789, provided: ''The people shall not be deprived or abridged of their right to speak, to write, or to publish their sentiments; and the freedom of the press, as one of the great bulwarks of liberty, shall be inviolable.''
...
Commenting a year later to Madison on his proposed amendment, Jefferson suggested that the free speech-free press clause might read something like: ''The people shall not be deprived or abridged of their right to speak, to write or otherwise to publish anything but false facts affecting injuriously the life, liberty, property, or reputation of others or affecting the peace of the confederacy with foreign nations.''
New Hampshire - 1942
'No person shall address any offensive, derisive or annoying word to any other person who is lawfully in any street or other public place, nor call him by any offensive or derisive name, nor make any noise or exclamation in his presence and hearing with intent to deride, offend or annoy him, or to prevent him from pursuing his lawful business or occupation.'
...
It is now clear that 'Freedom of speech and freedom of the press, which are protected by the First Amendment from infringement by Congress, are among the fundamental personal rights and liberties which are protected by the Fourteenth Amendment from invasion by state [315 U.S. 568, 571] action'
Originally posted by junglejake
I support this T-Shirt just as I support these T-Shirts. Why? Because without the freedom to express all ideas, no matter how offensive to some, we will move into a bubble that is accepting ignorance of ideas that are out there, but are just considered "illegal" just as love was illegal in the book 1984.
Originally posted by jsobeckyTo say that a drawing that I am carrying offends you and therefore makes me reponsible for your reaction is absolving your guilt if you choose to crack my noggin.