>>Canada, in particular, doesn't give free speech nearly the respect that Americans say they give it. I also don't know of any country (not that I am really well informed) that gives freedom of speech such importance. The issue seems to come up with Americans all the time. They seem very careful that people don't tread on their right to free speech. Under the same circumstances, I don't hear about free speech as much in Canada, and not so often in the rest of world either.
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>I think that freedom of speech and freedom of the press can be two different things, which we here tend to blur the line between the two.

Here in Canada, we do have thought crimes. For instance, if a judge determines that you had *inappropriate* thoughts while looking at someone (leering) you are guilty of assault.

When I was a kid, I used to fear going to confession because of the bad thoughts I would have to tell the priest (GOD already knew). Now they can be criminal. Foretunately, I learned to only have *good* thoughts, so I ought to be alright.
So far. Maybe. If the rules don't change.