There are some ignorant,potentially hurtful misnomers about "free speech." I've read some hate rants cloaked in that recently. It's not free if it comes at the cost of hurting others. Some people need to exercise first amendment rights less and fifth amendment more. Here are definitions of freedom of expression vs rants vs hate speech, from eight years writing commentary and several decades teaching communication.
Slander vs Opinion: How often have I heard hate speech passed off as opinion.We do not necessarily have the right to say it. If your opinion involves name-calling, insults, profiling others, that's not opinion. That's slander and libel when it's in print (see, I watched Spiderman). Journalistic ethics prevents using derogatory words. I had to edit out the phrase "windbag" in reference to a Republican politician. Free Speech, Undifferentiated Rants Vs Hate Speech
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