Yelling "Fire" In a Crowded Theater
There are a number of things about freedoms that I remember learning. At the bottom is an issue of responsibility. Freedom requires the sense to know when NOT to exercise the freedom. I remember several cliches:
Well, how abut a new one:
- Freedom of speech does not include the right to cry "Fire!" in a crowded theater.
- My freedom of expression ends where your nose begins.
At least that's part of my take on the issues surrounding the cartoon crisis. For us as Americans there is a certain difficulty in understanding the reaction. We are so accustomed to freedom of speech and press that lampoons and blasphemes and is downright controversial that we dont' notice it anymore. Oh, we may stop for a moment and shake our head or even get upset for a short period. But that's as far as it goes. And, in the scheme of things that may be alright.
- The freedom of speech (or the press?) may not include the right to blasphemy in a crowded world?
But where is consideration of the deeply held beliefs of others?
Yes, I know there are a lot of sides to this story. I know that it may be easy to point fingers one way or another. Judgments can be made- and have been made. But it is sad to see such bloodshed and anger and violence over this. What to us in the west appears to be such a little thing- cartoons- are to others a deep, deep insult.
Is the expression of a freedom- however noble- worth it?
No comments:
Post a Comment