Hi M - of course it would potentially be a foolish/wrong thing to shout fire in a crowded theatre - especially if there were no fire!
But my point is that one should have the right to so shout - and then be exonerated or berated for it according to your particular point of view...and its consequences.

I don't agree with the provisions in the Acts you refer to either. People have the right to say and think what they like, even if I don't like it. If I find what you say offensive, I'll say so.

Otherwise it's all hypocisy - For example many folks wanted to ban the BNP from being allowed to put their views across because they, the BNP, are in their view fascists. Which is exactly what they accuse fascists of!

You either have freedom of speech or you don't... not some free speech (like being a little bit pregnant).

And if you decide to sacrifice some freedoms of speech for political/moral/whatever reasons fair enoug - but the problems multiply.
For example, who decides what is "acceptable" speech or , as Janis Ian put it "hate speech"? Quis custodes custodiet?

If one believes in the right to freedom of speech (and don't forget I also referred to its obvious extrapolation, freedom of thought) then that means everyone has the right to say whatever - no matter how abhorrent you think it.
And if you don't want that - then you legislate to prevent it. Welcome therefore to the world we live in.
But if we do legislate - and we have - , then we don't have free speech and so we shouldn't pretend or claim that we do.
All I'm arguing for really is a bit of intellectual honesty!