|
February Editorial 2002 |
“I do not agree with a word of what you say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it”
Freedom of speech is one of those issues that tend to divide the "flaming liberals" from the conservatives. According to some, just believing that the freedom of speech should be upheld makes one a "flaming liberal." This right is one of the most important civil liberties, because it allows citizens to express themselves however they feel, without government interference. According to Dr. Hart, "There is no such thing as absolute freedom." To this, the liberals want to disagree. The freedom of speech has been granted, and should be upheld, without "modifications" by Congress. The debate between conservatives and liberals has been going on since the Amendment was added to the Constitution, and will continue to go on, at least until the liberty is taken away.
Conservatives feel that the freedom of speech should be granted, but that people should use "judgment" when expressing themselves. Liberals however, tend to feel that people have the right to express themselves, and should be able to say anything, regardless of whom they might offend. Judgment is different for everyone, so something offensive to one person might be completely acceptable to someone else. So, conservative's "judgment" cannot be applied to the freedom of speech, as they want it to be.
At first, the idea of complete freedom of speech seems absurd. How can this right be granted to everyone, even to people who do not understand the extent of its meaning? In some cases, it is unfortunate that this liberty has been given to everyone, but it has. Therefore, the government must not interfere with the liberty at any cost.
It is blatant that some people tend to abuse their freedom of speech in what they say, but they still have the right to express themselves. Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire once said, "I do not agree with a word of what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it." The government should take this same stand on freedom of speech, since the right has been granted.
Though there is no such thing as complete freedom, there should be when it comes to self-expression. When a right is granted, such as the freedom of speech, it should never be abridged or modified in any way, such as in the case of Richard Vasak's ASB presidential campaign in 2001, when he was forcibly removed from the election. Vasak's civil rights were taken away, and he no longer had the right to express himself, because according to some, his slogans were "inappropriate." People have different opinions on whether something is appropriate or not, and so there should not be any modifications made to the freedom of speech.