"Freedom" of speech

[slinger]

Trump was fully aware of the effect his words would have on the crowd. The fact that his words wouldn't incite you and me to riot or descend into violent conduct, does not mean he didn't incite the crowd. He played to his audience and got what he wanted.

[Daniel Quinn]

So you want him prosecuted for what you think the effect of his words would have on his supporters, even though he did not directly tell them what to do.

That's a dangerous prosecution.

'POST HOC ERGO PROPTOR HOC'

[savvypaul]

The internet / social media has very rapidly, and massively, increased the opportunities for free speech.

Unfortunately, critical thinking has not kept up with the flow of opinions / information.

[Ordinaryman]

Incitement is one thing, actions another. For sure he played his audience. Its a troubled world when people believe/react to things simply because they read it on social media.

[Ordinaryman]

There is in my opinion no "free speech" anywhere other than in a human environment. If see/ read something on the internet and take it as gospel more fool you.

[Ordinaryman]

Social media, when it comes to politics, is being used as an emotional 'button'.

For many people, there is a lag between the reaction (emotion) and the thinking (critical analysis). For some (many?) people, the emotion is all that is required.

I see friends (sometimes even highly educated ones), reacting 'emotionally' to social media posts that support their beliefs / prejudices. You then read that the 'article' is 3 years old.

The problem with the truth, I find, is that it is rarely very exciting. And, try telling that to an audiophile...

[Ordinaryman]

All reminds me of "Abigail's party" and Burt Reynolds, for those who are old enough to remember

[savvypaul]

I'm not very good at riddles.

[Ordinaryman]

Abigail's party was a tv paly featuring amongst others Allison Steadman. The question arose about who played a part in something, Burt Reynolds? No riddle just probably before your time.

[savvypaul]

I've got a lot of Mike Leigh's stuff, since, but that is one that I didn't warm to, so much, even though it's considered one of his best.

The 'riddle' is the relevance to the thread.