At 3:05 PM -0400 4/14/01, Rick Adams wrote:
> Paul wrote:
>
>> But something about the right to shout "fire!" in a crowded theatre?
>
> That particular quote (usually attributed to a US Supreme Court Chief
>Justice) happens to be an urban myth--it was never uttered in the court.
Oliver Wendell Homes, I believe.
I'm not sure if he said it in the context of a legal opinion, 'tho.
I'll see if I can find it.
All I've got so far is:
"Rosencrantz: Fire!
Guildenstern: Where?
Rosencrantz: It's all right - I'm demonstrating the misuse of free speech.
Stoppard_Tom/Rosencrantz_&_Guildenstern_Are_Dead"
> You _do_ have the right to shout "fire" in a crowded theater--from
>a free
>speech perspective. What you do NOT have the right to do, however, is:
>
> 1. Disturb the peace--by shouting the word you infringe on the
>rights of
>the other patrons to peacefully enjoy their chosen entertainment.
>
> 2. Endanger the lives and safety of the other patrons. By shouting
>"fire"
>you encourage high risk behavior (a rush for the doors) which can result
>in injury or death. If such an injury (or death) results, you can be held
>liable for it. Again, this is NOT a free speech issue, it is a public
>safety one.
Could be...
* PAUL K. BRANDON [EMAIL PROTECTED] *
* Psychology Dept Minnesota State University, Mankato *
* 23 Armstrong Hall, Mankato, MN 56001 ph 507-389-6217 *
* http://www.mankato.msus.edu/dept/psych/welcome.html *
