The famous 'you can't shout fire in a crowded theater' is a perfect example
It's actually a horrible example, particular when placed next to what you say next:
When people begin to rant and rave about killing folks, etc
Your "perfect example" leads to a real, credible and immediate danger: death by trampling. Saying on an internet forum "I'm going to kill Mr. XYZ" isn't a credible threat, does not present an immediate threat, and is at worst a statement of fact or intent rather than inciting something.
I don't disagree that there are limits. But those limits have already been defined. There's already laws, etc in place. Punishing the owners of Gab and the other users who did nothing illegal, etc. is draconic crap that punishes innocent people.
Not saying you did. The point I'm trying to make is that "free speech for the sake of free speech" misses the point. Limited speech is a function of politics. Unfettered speech is listed in the bill of rights as a right given by God, not the government.
In the context of the events spawning this discussion, there's this tendency highlighted where people are being punished for "wrongspeak"... words that someone else doesn't agree with. This isn't anything like "fire" in a theater. This is a matter of conversation. As far as I'm concerned, people can have whatever conversation they want. Their words do not hurt me or anyone else (unless they allow words to hurt them). The problem that you're dancing around but not really touching is when words turn to action.
Unless I'm misunderstanding the whole thing here...
But if I'm not, the real discussion should be "how do we control anti-social behavior?"
Free speech has always been limited. The famous 'you can't shout fire in a crowded theater' is a perfect example. When people begin to rant and rave about killing folks, etc, as happens on both the left and right, it's no longer free speech IMHO ... that's what I'm trying to say. Nothing more. In everything in life there are limits ... that's why we have laws and cops ... we as a society define those limits, otherwise you don't have civilization, you have chaos.