{"id":831,"date":"2012-09-13T06:23:08","date_gmt":"2012-09-13T10:23:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=831"},"modified":"2012-09-13T06:23:08","modified_gmt":"2012-09-13T10:23:08","slug":"free-speech-or-sensitive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=831","title":{"rendered":"free speech… or sensitive?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is free speech a right?\u00a0 Can we say whatever<\/em><\/strong> we want whenever<\/em><\/strong> we want wherever<\/em><\/strong> we want?\u00a0 While some may impulsively answer affirmatively, allow me to suggest we first pause for a moment.\u00a0 For example, according to the popular paraphrase of the infamous 1919 Supreme Court decision, “shouting fire in a crowded theatre” is illegal, assuming the claim is dangerous and false.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But I\u2019m wondering if in this seemingly polarizing, digressing day and age, if the right of free speech whenever and wherever we want is based more on the substance of the speech\u00a0\u2014 and the “speaker of the speech”\u00a0\u2014\u00a0as opposed to the purported individual liberty.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I think of the desire to squelch some speech \u2014 a desire with which I must transparently acknowledge that at times, the Intramuralist will also wrestle…<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

… such as in Sunday\u2019s post, acknowledging that there are those who passionately wish to silence the name and praise and mere mention of God.\u00a0 Does free speech exist if it includes reference or \u2014 dare I suggest \u2014 submission<\/em><\/strong> to an omniscient deity?\u00a0 Certainly not in schools.\u00a0 In government?\u00a0 In the prayers before Congress each day?\u00a0 In the Pledge?\u00a0 I\u2019m wondering, too, about taking God\u2019s name publicly in vain.\u00a0 Is that free speech \u2014 even in school?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

… I think of the Westboro Baptist Church, a little group of loud people hailing from Topeka, Kansas.\u00a0 Perhaps you\u2019ve heard of them; they like to protest at military funerals and other sensitive places with very strong, disrespectful anti-gay rhetoric; they\u2019ve continued protesting this week.\u00a0 Now I\u2019ve met many I respect who sensitively believe that homosexuality is inconsistent with God\u2019s ideal, but I\u2019ve met no one who supports the approach and messaging of this cruel, seemingly merciless church.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But back to the dilemma of free speech… is it our right?\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>… does a cruel, merciless church have the right to say whatever they want, marching outside the memorial of a fallen soldier in front of his or her grief-stricken family?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Truthfully, I have a hard time with that one.\u00a0 So much of me wells up inside, saying, \u201cHow dare they!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 The quandary is what speech do we believe should be free.\u00a0 Insensitivity has thus far not been a prohibitor of the practice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

… What about 911? … another date that is deeply emotional for all Americans?\u00a0 Do people have a right to say whatever they want wherever they want on that day?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

On Tuesday, in both Egypt and Libya, Islamist groups violently attacked the U.S. embassies.\u00a0 There are currently unconfirmed reports that the violence was coordinated and intentional.\u00a0 In Cairo, several scaled the walls, tearing down the American flag, proclaiming \u201cno God but Allah\u201d and alliance with Osama Bin Laden.\u00a0 In Libya, the American ambassador to the country was tragically killed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The reported reason for the violence was the Muslims\u2019 anger at a single video being produced in the United States that they feel insults the prophet Mohammed.\u00a0 So question:\u00a0 why the protest on that particular day?\u00a0 Were the protestors somehow unaware that it was the anniversary of the Twin Towers fall?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nonetheless, very quickly, before an awareness of injury or death, the American embassy in Egypt actually released this statement in regard to the video:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe Embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims<\/strong> \u2013 as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions. Today, the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Americans are honoring our patriots and those who serve our nation as the fitting response to the enemies of democracy. Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy. We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others.\u201d <\/em>\u00a0[emphasis mine]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The U.S. embassy was speaking of the Americans’<\/strong><\/em> abuse of free speech via the video-making, as opposed to addressing the riotous conduct of the protestors.\u00a0 So again I ask the question:\u00a0 do we have the right to say whatever we want whenever we want wherever we want?\u00a0 … and let me add, however<\/em><\/strong> we want?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It seems each of our support and sensitivity depends most on the subject… and on who\u2019s speaking.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Respectfully,<\/p>\n

AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Is free speech a right?\u00a0 Can we say whatever we want whenever we want wherever we want?\u00a0 While some may impulsively answer affirmatively, allow me to suggest we first pause for a moment.\u00a0 For example, according to the popular paraphrase of the infamous 1919 Supreme Court decision, “shouting fire in a crowded theatre” is illegal, … <\/p>\n

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