"I Was a Tool of Satan": The Right of Free Speech in the Age of Apologetics

[aamusedinatx]

I came across this article in the Columbia Journalism Review. It really made me stop and think about how a good idea--bootstrapping society out of ignorant hate and into sensitivity and enlightenment has in many ways really bitten us in the ass. Doug Marlette makes several good points.

Those who scream and demand tolerance for their views very often do not extend that tolerance to others.

Many people believe there is truth and then there is "their truth."

And, most resonant with me: the use, misuse and lack of understanding of our First Amendment:

I gave my Journalism 101 lecture on the First Amendment, explaining that in this country we do not apologize for our opinions. Free speech is the linchpin of our republic. All other freedoms flow from it. After all, we don't need a First Amendment to allow us to run boring, inoffensive cartoons. We need constitutional protection for our right to express unpopular views. If we can't discuss the great issues of the day on the pages of our newspapers fearlessly, and without apology, where can we discuss them? In the streets with guns? In cafés with strapped-on bombs?

I hope you'll take a few moments this morning and read this wonderful article