Yeah, Peter, I would rather not be shouted at, no matter how strongly you feel. I think I expressed my opinion with a certain civility; couldn't you have done the same?

Most concepts in this life are not absolute -- there are degrees of everything. I am in favor of almost completely free expression, as long as that expression does not injure others, thereby curtailing their rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. When it does, I advocate minimal protections that will allow people to continue to get their sociopolitical points across without hurting others. This is what "freedom of speech" really means -- the freedom to speak, not the freedom to solicit and conspire with others to commit heinous acts against minorities, and hide behind a "free speech" rationale. The two items I referred to (a Nazi marching song and a swastika flag) have been banned in postwar Germany because that is how they function -- as a solicitation to murder and mayhem.

I'm sorry you feel that the "fire in a crowded theater" expression is a little over-used; it probably is, but that's because it is a clear and succinct expression of a concept that applies to numerous situations. I'll try another. If I stand in the street and yell "let's go out and kill the Jews!", I will be arrested for inciting a riot, solicitation to murder, etc. My words are symbols which express my intention, and I am accountable for them. If I wave a flag that bears a different symbol that expresses the same intention, why shouldn't I be held accountable -- both morally and legally -- for that?

With the obligatory IMHO, yours truly, Whistle Stop