Comments on: Report: SEC looks into posting of old United story

SEC launches preliminary inquiry into online distribution of old article about United Airlines bankruptcy that led to a stock drop, according to a newspaper report.

[humanssssss]

SEC is a bunch of thugs and idiots. In the age of information, people should have the right to freedom of speech. Maybe they haven't learned about the Constitution. It states exactly the problem we have today with the tyranny of government controlling freedom of speech. This freedom is fundamental to our civil rights as human being.

Freedom of speech means you can say anything you want. It does not mean people have to listen to you. If people who listen to you and act on your right to freedom of speech. That's the people's problem. Why is it the problem of the person who gave the speech? When people don't take responsibilities for their own actions upon speech of others who they have no clue of its source and make millions and billions dollars bet, who's fault is it?

Why is the SEC involve in the actions of stupid investors? Protectionism will drive the financial markets down further. It's been proven that if the free market is not allow to adjust itself, the consequences will compound and will create the next Great Depression.

And one more thing, people with money are the people who invest in the stock market. People who are poor save emergency reserve to buy food and if they have money left, they will invest.

SEC should go read up on Adam Smith "Wealth of the Nations". Idiots today who control the financial markets are what is ruining our country.

[MCOjerry]

Um...I think it has more to do with what your intent is. If there is intent to defraud, or devalue by posting misleading information, that's wrong. Certainly you can say anything you like, within reason; if you do it with the intent of causing harm to others and/or gain for you...there's a problem.

By the way, I'm not "people with money" and I invest in the stock market. You really make no sense, can your comments are pretty useless.

[ghostofitpast]

I think this incident goes far deeper than the question of freedom of speech; I have tried to plumb those depths at

http://therehearsalstudio.blogspot.com/2008/09/absence-of-judgment.html

[danielz40]

There are also limits on Freedom of Speech, so it is not purely free. Limits such as defamation, product liability, hate speech, denial of the holocaust, etc.
It includes intent to harm. You can't yell "Fire" in a theater. You probably just as well can't yell "United Bankrupt" either. Harming people's pocketbook seems the same as benefitting your own.

[Sugiarto Setiabudi]

Good news ,SEC please go ahead