On 8/16/2011 12:23 AM, Leroy N. Soetoro wrote:
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/08/13...ransit-blocks-
cellphones-to-hinder-protest/?intcmp=obnetwork


An illegal, Orwellian violation of free-speech rights? Or just a smart
tactic to protect train passengers from rowdy would-be demonstrators
during a busy evening commute?

Not a free speech violation, of course. The government is under no
obligation to furnish you with the means of propagating your speech. I
don't know technically how BART brings cell service underground, but
whatever that mechanism is, BART owns it and can switch it on or off as
they see fit. Quite obviously, they have it as a means of providing a
service - a service they are under no obligation to provide in the first
place.

If you want to stand on a street corner and harangue passersby, that is
your right - but the state doesn't have to furnish you with a megaphone.
Free speech does not include the right to have your speech
disseminated beyond your own means.

George Plimpton wrote:



If you want to stand on a street corner and harangue passersby, that is
your right - but the state doesn't have to furnish you with a megaphone.
Free speech does not include the right to have your speech
disseminated beyond your own means.

That's freakin' ridiculous.

On Aug 16, 1:46*pm, dave wrote:
George Plimpton wrote:

- - If you want to stand on a street corner
- - and harangue passersby, that is your
- - right - but the state doesn't have to
- - furnish you with a megaphone.
- - Free speech does not include the right
- - to have your speech disseminated beyond
- - your own means.

Even the Soapbox Orators of Hyde Park,
London [UK] have to bring their own
Soap-Boxes.

All it takes is a 911 call or plea for help that would not connect.
Martin

On 8/16/2011 2:37 PM, George Plimpton wrote:
On 8/16/2011 12:23 AM, Leroy N. Soetoro wrote:
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/08/13...ransit-blocks-
cellphones-to-hinder-protest/?intcmp=obnetwork


An illegal, Orwellian violation of free-speech rights? Or just a smart
tactic to protect train passengers from rowdy would-be demonstrators
during a busy evening commute?

Not a free speech violation, of course. The government is under no
obligation to furnish you with the means of propagating your speech. I
don't know technically how BART brings cell service underground, but
whatever that mechanism is, BART owns it and can switch it on or off as
they see fit. Quite obviously, they have it as a means of providing a
service - a service they are under no obligation to provide in the first
place.

If you want to stand on a street corner and harangue passersby, that is
your right - but the state doesn't have to furnish you with a megaphone.
Free speech does not include the right to have your speech disseminated
beyond your own means.

I call it San Franciskograd.

i

On Aug 18, 12:01*am, Ignoramus16731 ignoramus16...@NOSPAM.
16731.invalid wrote:
I call it San Franciskograd.

i

Russian Hill .