One Helluva Price for Free Speech

[rb336]

You have the right to free speech. if that turns into the kind of vile, harassing crap Shirvell did, or if you stir up a riot, or threaten harm, etc. etc., the courts have held that you crossed a line since the founding of the republic

[Johnnny5]

You have the right to free speech. if that turns into the kind of vile, harassing crap Shirvell did, or if you stir up a riot, or threaten harm, etc. etc., the courts have held that you crossed a line since the founding of the republic

I'm not sure how to feel about this case. I don't share either of their viewpoints on the subject of homosexuality, but did Shirvell do anything that was criminally illegal? Was he charged or convicted for threatening to harm Mr Armstrong or charged with inciting a riot or stalking?

This is more of a defamation of character civil issue, and for me these types of lawsuits always seem to border on the edge of limiting free speech when what was said or published are opinions as opposed to falsehoods. I can totally understand the verdict if Shirvell had publicly accused Armstrong of acts or words that were blatantly false, but from what I have read of the issue his words were obviously hateful, degrading and objectionable but for the most part was just his warped opinions of the guy.