The Way People Are

Freedom of speech is a sticky wicket.

It seems like it should be a fairly straightforward concept, but that’s only true if those availing themselves of that freedom can always be counted on to use good judgment.

I wholeheartedly support and vehemently defend Freedom Of Speech. I think it is one of the most precious freedoms that we have been afforded under the auspices of our Declaration of Independence. I place it before Freedom of Religion and Freedom to Bear Arms in order of importance. Its not something I take for granted, and I will defend anybody, even Don Imus, who chooses to exercise that freedom.

Unfortunately, there are a few things people seem to forget about freedom of speech.

First, and foremost, that it is a privilege, not a God given right. Any privilege too often abused, is inevitably curtailed or abolished. And I have learned, with unfortunately personal clarity, that any potential in that regard will be exploited if the potential exists.

Because that’s just how people are.

Secondly, that no freedom is absolute. There have to be guidelines. There have to be standards. There has to be a just and reasonable expectation or we risk falling into a moral and social profligacy.

Because that’s just how people are.

Thirdly, that the founding Fathers never intended Freedom Of Speech to be a vehicle for hatred, bigotry and vulgarity. They intended to give the people a voice. They intended to empower us to stand up and say “this is wrong” or “here’s what I think” without risking our lives or our freedom.

Nobody intended for yahoos like Don Imus to go on public radio and make racial and sexist remarks about innocent young women. Nobody intended to pave the way for Howard Stern and his ilk to broadcast the kind of vicious and offensive shlock that he dishes out under the dubious compendium of “entertainment”.

And yet, a precept that was conceived with only the very best of intentions, is being used to sanction just that sort of thing.

Because that’s just how people are.

I think that’s nuts. And I think it’s equally nuts that people are rushing to the defense of such individuals. There is nothing defensible about intolerance.

And here’s where it gets sticky. Because there’s really no way to define and quantify such freedom without endgendering the kind of ham-fisted autocracy that the Founding Fathers sought to eliminate.

So where does that leave us?

Well, that’s where responsibility and accountability come in. We all have to use good judgement in how we choose to exercise our freedoms. And we have to stand up and say “This is WRONG” when someone like Don Imus abuses his freedom. That’s not denying someone their right to speak freely. It’s protecting our own.

So. While in theory, I support Don Imus’ right to say what he said, in practice, I think he’s an unmitigated ass for doing so. And I fully support the action that was taken against him.

Because if we don’t demonstrate that such behavior is unacceptable, then we will all, one day, pay the price. Freedom of Speech will become a distant memory; a thing spoken of in history books and tales told by grandfolks to grandchildren.

Because that’s just the way people are.