Imagine a world where you could only say what everyone else approved of. That’s an instrument of tyrants over the ages. Can we agree that is not a society we want to live in?
Ok, well if we want to say things that others don’t agree with (maybe BECAUSE they don’t), then doesn’t it stand to reason that we must tolerate and accept others saying whatever they want as well?
Offensive? Yup. Against our beliefs? That too. These have to be included because who’s to say what offensive is or what beliefs are truth?
Let’s defend our own free speech, by not silencing others.
Amen brother.
I’m not sure about the last line. How can silencing other’s ensure our own free speech? I would think respecting others views and opinions and listening would help ensure our turn at voicing our thoughts and free speech.
Let me know if I’m missing something from this blog?
Thanks,
Terry Rankin
Healthy Home Now, Inc
Dang. Where’s my reading glasses? Sorry. I didn’t focus on the “not” part of silencing other’s.
Another plate of crow served to me from me.
T Rankin
Let freedom ring!
Buck-in Great!!! I think I believe in free speech LOL.
“It’s About Buckin’ Time!” I know your smiling on this one LJ!!
Let’s challenge the premise that freedom of speech is an absolute and others should not be silenced. Let’s see what you really think by personalizing the statement “defend our own free speech, by not silencing others.” With replacing the word “our” with the word your. “defend your own free speech, by not silencing others.”
Your family is at dinner celebrating your daughter’s graduation. It is her favorite Sushi place. Seated to your right or your table and within earshot is a table of 6 businessmen in town for the Adult Entertainers Convention. As the drinks flow at their table their conversation, aka speech, turns to a string of profanity. Then they start talking about the clothing being worn by, and the attributes of, your wife and daughter. They begin describing in graphic details their fantasies and how much money an internet site would make filming mommy and daughter, your family, having sex with them.
Would you be infringing on their free speech by asking them to stop or to be quiet? If the restaurant manager went to their table and asked them to leave, thus silencing their speech, would you speak up and defend the businessmen to the manager and thus “defend your own free speech, by not silencing others.”
Do you really believe in free speech?…..Think about it.
Much needed sentiment!
And to respond to Mr. Lewis…
Free speech does not mean that you get to say anything we want – just as American Freedom does not mean that we get to DO whatever we want.
Our freedom is freedom from tyranny. Our free speech is speech in the exercise of the pursuit of our constitutional rights.
Free speech does not mean lack of decency, just a personal freedom does not mean we can abuse another.
Free speech does mean we can criticize our government if it fails to lead us into the best ideals, as expressed in our country’s founding documents. We can also hold each other, as citizens, accountable for the way we treat each other and our world.
In that discourse, we my offend. But, the free and open exchange of ideas, ideals, values and information is key to an America that will continue to grow and be great.
Our great learning institutions should subscribe to this fully.
Freedom of speech was when someone called me “Stubborn Hungarian Farm Girl” over and over again until I exercised my own freedom of speech and told the person that in the case if he appreciates the fact that I get things done then the negative sounding /stubborn\ adjective should be replaced with a more positive adjective such as persistent, purposeful or determined. Did he change his tune? Nope, but I voiced my views and I was persistently glad that he didn’t call me “The Goat Girl” and I stopped allowing his free speech to influence my work. I was at peace because I did the best I could to stirr the person in the right direction, after that was his problem what escaped his mouth. I was no longer reliable for his speech because I exercised mine.