When is what free speech?

Disseminating classified government information, slandering a public official who depends on their reputation, naming sexual assault victims in news reports, publishing orgone research, Lolita, celebrity gossip -- there are so many examples of ways in which our speech can be legally curtailed...

My feeling is that you have a specific example or two in mind, am I correct? 

 you know that is an interesting question. i'll say the same thing someone said to me that made me think and go WTF. it went something like this and i'll paraphrase: say whatever you like but keep it semi-clean and doesn't tell a person to go out and cause someone harm. because even people like racist bigots have an (unfortunate) right to say what they like (due to free speech) as long as they don't make(key word here) do some acts against the law and the constitution then they are allowed.  

that made me go WTF and want to argue fuss and fight until i was like whoah nelly...... that makes some sad sense ya know? so, i learned early that even those spawns of satan have a right to say it but therein lies the free speech "issues" eh?

http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/index.php/First_amendment

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Amendment

http://www.freedomforum.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=3924

*edit to add this whole thing it's legal

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
— The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

The First Amendment prohibits government from establishing a religion and protects each person's right to practice (or not practice) any faith without government interference.

The Freedom Forum's First Amendment Center operates several Religious Freedom Programs advancing the understanding of freedom of religion in public schools and other venues.

The First Amendment gives the press the right to publish news, information and opinions without government interference. This also means people have the right to publish their own newspapers, newsletters, magazines, etc.

The Freedom Forum's First Amendment Center provides a program for newspaper editors and other staff through a partnership with the American Press Institute.

The First Amendment says that people have the right to gather in public to march, protest, demonstrate, carry signs and otherwise express their views in a nonviolent way. It also means people can join and associate with groups and organizations without interference.

The First Amendment says that people have the right to appeal to government in favor of or against policies that affect them or that they feel strongly about. This freedom includes the right to gather signatures in support of a cause and to lobby legislative bodies for or against legislation.

"Publishing Orgone research" ?? Wilhelm Reich would be turning in his grave , Jamie.

Anyway, a good post on the subject at hand by belladonna.

The old saw is --You can't yell "Fire"- if there is none-in a crowded theatre. That encapsulates much of the limitation on free speech- You shall not say things that will (potentially) cause undue harm to someone.

 merci beaucoup