February 7, 2005
© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com
"You can't tell me what to say. It's a free country!
Well, yes. The Constitution guarantees free speech. It's one of the most important freedoms in the Bill of Rights and there's probably no more powerful indication of its importance to the Founding Fathers than the fact that it's the First Amendment.
There are numerous reasons for that, but none more important than the fact that while a despotic regime can't control what people think, they can control what they say by making it more than dangerous to speak.
One need go no further into history than to look at the Iraq of Saddam Hussein. Those who differed with him and dared to speak those disagreements, or even hint at them, faced a horrible, rapid death or, perhaps worse, imprisonment in places like Abu Ghraib prison where they were tortured to the point that death was a relief. Rest assured, they were not subjected to panties on the head or naked pyramid piles.
A look at the mangled bodies of those who survived Saddam's wrath, or the thousands in mass graves, testifies to the power of the state to control speech. A silent populace is frightened and readily controlled.
Freedom to think and speak is a hallmark of our country. But something's in the wind. If it continues, it will change the face of life in the United States.
It's worth noting that a recent survey of high-school students by the University of Connecticut shows that 32 percent think the press has too much freedom and 36 percent want government approval before stories are printed.
Call it moral relativism, political correctness or liberalism out of control. No matter, it adds up to limiting free speech, misunderstanding free speech and a growing ignorance of the population as to the value and importance of this constitutional blessing.
Free speech is essential to being a free person. Freedom isn't solely the opportunity to be and do what one chooses within the parameters of the laws of a civilized society, it's the opportunity to think and challenge and speak and disagree.
It is not the right to – as we've all heard – shout "Fire!" in a crowded theater, and it is not the right to commit treason or sedition – the ultimate betrayal of country.
Take a look at these free-speech issues just over the last 10 days.
Freedom House, a human-rights organization, published an 89-page report entitled "Saudi Publications On Hate Ideology Fill American Mosques." It surveyed materials distributed by Saudi Arabia in 15 mosques across this country. They should chill you.
They encompass an ideology of hate from a condemnation of democracy to orders not to participate in American traditions, including citizenship. The materials express hatred of Jews and Christians, call for the elimination of Israel and endorse killing in a variety of instances.
It's shocking enough this material is being distributed inside this country, it's more shocking there are no calls to stop it.
Neither "Free Speech" nor "Freedom of Religion" allows foreigners (or anyone else) in our midst to preach against us in their houses of worship, especially using materials prepared by another sovereign nation.
Then there's "The Passion Of The Christ," the epitome of free speech. Mel Gibson created, co-wrote, directed and produced it – all with his own money. The studios refused to be a part of it.
Gibson got flack from Jewish and Catholic organizations, which speculated "The Passion" would foster attacks on Jews. It didn't happen, but Hollywood denounced "The Passion" even before it was released.
Hollywood ignores any defense of artistic freedom when colleges ban screening Gibson's film. The latest, Indian River Community College in Florida, finally approved the showing after being threatened with a civil liberties lawsuit.
Conversely, Hollywood which usually rails against censorship, ignores the brutal murder of Dutch moviemaker Theo van Gogh and that Dutch politicians face death threats. Van Gogh's mistake was to make a movie about the mistreatment of women under Islam. Last week, the Rotterdam Film Festival cancelled a screening because of threats
Tinseltown is silent.
Then there's the student in LeMoyne College's Master of Education program who wrote a paper advocating corporal punishment in schools. He got an "A," but was suspended.
It appears Scott McConnell chose the wrong way to think.
Harvard's president, Lawrence Summers, stepped in it during a speech to economists. He spoke of possible reasons for fewer women with math and science careers and of the possibility there may actually be differences between men and woman.
That did it! Poor Larry. He apologized so many times he could have sent out a recording.
Then he caved: Harvard will now have two – two! – faculty task forces on women and a new senior administrative position to support gender diversity!
At the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, Zoology researcher Richard Sternberg published an article by a Cambridge University biology Ph.D. supporting "intelligent design" over evolution.
Wrong! Sternberg says he's being shunned by his colleagues, was removed from his office, and is being maligned because of his Catholic religion and political questions.
At the University of Colorado, a professor who compared the victims of the 9-11 attacks to Nazis, was defended in the name of "Free Speech" and academic freedom.
Pay attention to the free speech battle at Columbia University resulting from a short film accusing professors of anti-Israel bias.
In Philadelphia, five Christians, arrested outside the "OutFest" gay event, each face 47 years in prison – essentially because of "hate speech."
Eason Jordan, former head of CNN News admits again that CNN had an arrangement with Saddam Hussein: Report positive news and you'll have access.
Nothing happens.
Free speech. Free Press. Whatever.
And never, never say "Merry Christmas" in a school.
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