In Defense of Free Speech
Read the article this discussion is about
- Renie_Burghardt
- vivavoce
- jerrib
- Dhalgren13
- phoehne
- Sunbear
- cmborris
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» Renie_Burghardt - In Defense of Free Speech
What an excellent piece, Shaun! I agree with you wholeheartedly. This country must remain a country that allows its people of many beliefs and ideas, to be able to express those beliefs and ideas freely. No, we must not allow the "perverse actions of a few, to remove our rights, liberties and freedoms," or America will no longer be the same.Thank you for your excellent thoughts and insights. Best wishes, Renie
-- posted by Renie_Burghardt
» vivavoce - Well Spoken
You echo the very concerns I expressed to another group yesterday morning after I listened to a Reuters news account of the vote in the House on anti-terrorist surveillance measures. These measures, if passed in the Senate and then confirmed by the President [he requested the bill], are the first steps into suspending our rights, our precious American civil liberties.At this point, the fear is no longer of the invisible, anomalous face of the foreign terrorist who may attack from long distance and disrupt our lives and lifestyles. Instead, the fear is of what will happen if we say the wrong thing, thing the wrong thing, speak to the wrong person, have the wrong appearance in dress, color or religion. Now anyone could be the "suspect" and all could be the "suspect."
The early days of Nazism began with correcting a this and suppressing a that in the name of nationalism. It grew incrementally and no one noticed until they were swept up in the tidal wave of destruction and nationalism. Now the United States begins its own program.
For others who read this article and accompanying words, please consider contacting your Senator and urging him/her to NOT support this bill. Protect your right to speak and think and associate. Protect your right to privacy and security. We have fought too hard to establish these rights that we've been told are God-given to allow them to be suppressed or suspended for any reason.
-- posted by vivavoce
» Dhalgren13 - Unfortunate Truths
A brief thank you to those of you who responded to this article, and who support all of our rights to speak and express our concerns, beliefs and ideas (this is not just a problem that concerns the academic/intellectual community, it is one that should concern us all). Unfortunately, since I published the article, I have still read even more recent cases of scholars and professors being 'silenced' and 'gagged' even outside of the state schools. Prof. Adam Jones, was silenced from his web community on the study of genocide, for questioning the war effort, while criticizing the Taliban as well, for not taking into account the civilian lives at stake. This is something that we should all look into, for there is nothing more dangerous than a world in which we are not free to make statements that are potentially thought provoking, and even more dangerous, when we are not free to make statements simply concerning the way we feel.-- posted by Dhalgren13
» phoehne - Re: Unfortunate Truths
In response to message posted by Dhalgren13:Similar thoughts were expressed on another topic page having to do with television. While I am glad our late night humorists are not cracking sick jokes about terrorism I think it is wrong that they feel constrained from makeing jokes about the same president and other elected officials that were open territory on September 10. These men and women haven't become completely changed individuals because of this tragedy.
If we are no longer allowed to speak our minds on TV or on campus then the terrorists have already won. Fighting a war against them is somewhat pointless. They succeeded in changing the US into a place that is no longer free.
I am willing to take precautions for my own safety and the safety of others. But precautions and are very different than losing my freedom to think and speak.
-- posted by phoehne
» Sunbear - Freedom of Speech
Hi Shaun,Excellent article and very well-written. I am so tired of this administration promoting jingoism no matter what the cost to the Bill of Rights.
Certainly, we can be loyal Americans even as we disagree with some of its policies. Unfortunately, governments (not only the U.S.) have a long, sad history of branding the "loyal opposition" as treasonous.
Sincerely,
Tom Martin
CE - Caring for the soul
-- posted by Sunbear
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