Friday, June 10, 2005
Do You Even Know What Freedom Is?
My response to an anonymous comment on MDG's site regarding the freedom of speech and how the press can print whatever they want, no matter how false or misleading it it may be, and no matter what the consequences are to the innocent victims of their words.
Indeed the constitution protects freedom of speech, but when someone uses speech that knowingly brings harm to others, isn't that crossing the line? It's the old story about yelling 'Fire' in a crowded theater... hundreds died being trampled, and the person claimed his Freedom of Speech protected his actions, but the freedom of speech does not protect such actions.
Yelling 'fire' which resulted in numerous deaths is similar to publishing countless false or misleading stories about U.S. soldiers and our Government. Too many innocent lives have been lost because of such reporting. Is this not the same thing as yelling 'fire'?
I'm 100% for the freedom of speech, and I will proudly stand up and protect that right for all. I will not however protect those who are directly harming or purposely putting in danger the very constitution that promises that freedom and the people like myself that have sworn protect it.
Until you've sacrificed everything to protect your freedom and the freedom of others, you will never understand what freedom is.
posted by El Capitan at 5:16 PM
5 Comments:
The Patriot said...
Yes thank you so much for that comment! I would comment back about what anonymous said but... you said it all.
God bless America!
Sean Dustman said...
Nice blog you have here! Link added.
5:57 PM
said...
The problem with the "fire" analogy is, of course, that you have to prove that the person shouting fire should have known he would cause a riot.
That's relatively simple in the case of the crowded theater, but convicting the press on such a matter is more difficult, regardless of their culpability.
For instance, what if the Newseek allegations were 100% true, and completely verified? Would they be wrong in publishing their story knowing that the jihadis might riot?
Freedom of the press is a tough deal. I dislike much of the MSM, I think they are a bunch of minor-league asshats, but I find it difficult to criticize them on first principles.
My problem is, of course, the Newsweek story *wasn't* verified. . . but that's another discussion.
El Capitan said...
I think it can be said the intentions of the press are not to kill innocent civilians and soldiers, but the acts of terrorism that are inspired by their words do create such carnage. The MSM's hatred for anything 'George W' has overridden their promise of responsible and accurate reporting. They will, and have, done anything to bring down this president. Sadly, all they've accomplished is to fan the fuel of anti-Americanism around the world. To cause so much harm to our country under the guise of 'Freedom of Speech' violates the very heart and moral foundation the bill of rights was based on.
9:35 AM Allison said...
Damn good post! I think you've expressed your frustrations, and many others, wonderfully.
There are some people that don't realize that with freedoms and rights come responsibility. The media will think no further about their actions past tomorrow's headlines.