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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face="Microsoft Sans Serif"><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Microsoft Sans Serif"'>Very much
appreciated and well-expressed for these times we are in.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=6 face=BrushScrD><span style='font-size:22.0pt;
font-family:BrushScrD;font-weight:bold'>Del<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face="Microsoft Sans Serif"><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Microsoft Sans Serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
dialogue-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net
[mailto:dialogue-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net] <b><span style='font-weight:
bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>jlepps@pc.jaring.my<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Tuesday, September 18, 2012
4:07 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> Colleague Dialogue<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [Dialogue] Free Speech</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The recent uproar over
the anti-Muslim film, and the on-going violence occasioned by the Danish
publication (Jyllands Posten) of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed have
occasioned some thoughts about Freedom of Speech. Here they are, and your comments
are most welcome.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:center'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Free Speech<br>
Sept. 2012<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The ideal of freedom of speech has been enshrined in the U.S. way of
life since the beginning. Some even argue that it was a driving force for those
who settled from Europe where people were sometimes persecuted for voicing
their opinions on sensitive matters. So our forefathers fought and died in part
over the principle that anyone could voice any opinion, however contrary or
disruptive to the established view of the majority. The principle is embodied
in Amendment 1 of the Constitution (“Congress shall make no laws
abridging … the freedom of speech..” – first introduced to
Congress in 1789.) <br>
<br>
In consequence we have all sorts of opinions making their way across the
country, sometime by airwaves, sometimes by newspaper, often by Internet. Our
heralded diversity includes those who believe in the immanence of the second
coming, conspiracy theories of many sort, the reality of Bigfoot, flying saucers,
and ghosts, and numerous versions of racial prejudice. All are granted their
right to speak out without fear of legal prosecution.<br>
<br>
Surely, however, there are limits, if not of law, then of propriety. One simply
does not speak up in praise of Hitler in a Jewish Synagogue. One needs to
consider the consequences of one’s speech on others, not simply the
desire to express one’s opinions. The editors of the Danish newspaper
that published caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed still struggle with that
insight: their exercise of “freedom of the press” violated no legal
strictures, but brought considerable financial loss and suffering to Danes
living and working in Muslim countries. Where does the “freedom”
end?<br>
<br>
Perhaps there are some “common sense” guidelines. One may be free
to walk wherever one pleases, but when there are poisonous snakes or alligators
on the path, one limits one’s choices. One may be free to pick the
foliage in the forest, but if it is poison oak, one elects to leave it alone.
And one does so without blaming the snakes or the gators or the poison oak
– they’re just acting the way they are. It’s in our best
interest to keep out of their way.<br>
<br>
This principle is enshrined in the Harry Potter books with the slogan of
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: “Draco Dormiens Nunquam
Tittilandus.” (“Never tickle a sleeping dragon.”) One may be
free to tickle, but it is certainly unwise to exercise that right on a dragon
in repose. <br>
<br>
Now the Danish publishers of Jyllands Posten and the makers of the recent film,
both obviously anti-Muslim, are quite free to their opinions, and have violated
no law in their work. But they have occasioned a great amount of violence and
suffering that could have been both anticipated and avoided. And both, it
seems, fear for their lives. <br>
<br>
That may be the key point. Our forefathers were willing to fight and die for
their freedom. Current practitioners seem outraged when their
“freedom” occasions threats and violence. Maybe they are not as
committed as they’d like us to believe.<br>
<br>
This is not to suggest that Muslims resemble dragons or snakes or alligators or
poison oak, but it is certainly to acknowledge their sensitivity about
criticisms of the Prophet. Certain things in that culture are taboo, and the
taboo extends beyond members of their religion. Propriety demands that the
taboo be respected. The alternative is to face the consequences.<br>
<br>
In a global society, one needs to consider sensitivities of many potential
audiences before expressing controversial opinions. This is not to say one must
compromise one’s principles or alter one’s opinions. But it is to
say that one needs to be willing to take responsibility for the outcome of
one’s pronouncements. Freedom without responsibility is quite limited.<br>
<br>
Of course “free speech” does have limits and controls, even in the
West. Child pornography is illegal and blocked from the Internet and from
publication. It seems that the public is unwilling to tolerate some types of
expression that cross the boundaries. The question becomes where to set those
bounds. <br>
<br>
It seems like “free expressions of opinion” that occasion physical
harm to others might also be a candidate for banning. That is a slippery slope,
but one that needs exploring. We have no trouble with the principle that
“Your freedom to swing your fists ends where my nose begins.” Might
that not also apply to statements that insult, demean or otherwise vilify other
people? <br>
<br>
John<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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