The Absurd GOP

[Ivan Denisovich]

And if someone with loaded gun will say "give me your wallet or I kill you" you are absolutely free to refuse.

This is true.

It isn't. If "choice" results in your death then it is no choice. If you can be fined or jailed for saying something then it means that you aren't free to do so.

I'll quote you here: "Same with speech. You can say whatever you want but somebody may not like it and you could face consequences." It would mean that USSR had free speech as people certainly were saying things they liked and even more certainly ended in jail or camp for it. Was it really freedom?

Self-regulation is expected within western culture. When we say something that crosses the social contract others are free to help us understand the consequences. It's part adopting others' viewpoints and part FAFO. We are free to choose which experience we seek.

There was a time not long ago when one's online behavior was different from one's polite behavior. That veil has fallen.

It's not about self regulation but law. I will quote Wiki again:

Under Title 18 Section 871 of the United States Code it is illegal to knowingly and willfully make "any threat to take the life of, to kidnap, or to inflict bodily harm upon the president of the United States."

You aren't free to threaten a president. It's fucking illegal. Your alleged freedom is regulated and regulated by law. Freedom of speech means shit when you can't say all what you want (though I agree that speech should be regulated, make no mistake).