I was reading this RTL story when I saw the following:

The driver, who was uncooperative, was also fined for insulting a public official.

In the US, you can generally insult a cop, a first responder, elected officials…it is usually considered protected speech under the 1st Amendment to the US Constitution. Are you not allowed to do such things in Luxembourg? (Genuinely curious, not a troll post)

(EDIT: I am just talking about these items in general…not advocacy. Just because you can doesn't mean you should, freedom of speech does not mean freedom of consequences, etc.)

by DeiAlKaz

12 comments

  2. Unlike the US we do not have free speech. In the US you can go around and call people cunts, dickheads and such all day long and they can’t really do anything besides calling you names back or punching you in the face.

    Here you can get legal trouble for it. I am not certain but I think there is no such thing as “insulting an officer” it is just an insult. It just happens that the cop was the target and can fine you on the spot.

  4. You can generally get a bullet for exercising your 1 amendment in front of the cops unless you are in Beverly Hills.

  7. >In the US, you can generally insult a cop, a first responder, elected officials…

    People have lost their lives believing this

  8. I remember being told at school something similar but using the example of Holocaust denial.

    In the US you have the 1st amendment

    In the EU you have Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which allows restrictions for “the protection of the reputation or rights of others” or “public safety.” Holocaust denial is criminalized in 17+ EU countries as a form of hate speech or historical negationism ( I took this from an AI so take what you will from it)

    Maybe not quite the same as insulting a police officer but same principles, I guess.

  9. Yeah I wouldn’t insult cops in the US (or anywhere). I’ve seen too many videos of police brutality. And I think it’s pretty stupid since they have the power to ruin your day, so why egg them on?

    Even if they are in the wrong, it’s best to stay calm and diplomatic. 

    Source : common sense?

  10. Freedom of speech does still make you accountable for your actions.

  11. Yeah I know I’ll be downvoted but in Europe we do not get free speech, we get freedom of speech as long as it’s authorized

  12. Over here its a bit like: your freedom stops where another ones begins..

    Like a general insult might not be “too bad” as long you dont insult the person in front of you directly.

    In germany you could go like cops are…. which is kinda allowed ish, but you cant call a cop to his face that ” you are a …)

    Pretty sure in the states you are covered by freedom of speech but that wont save you from character assault charges.. or whatever they call it

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