Freedom of Speech, Is it Reality or Is it Simply a Selective Concept?

Freedom of Speech, Hmmm....Interesting? but is it a reality or simply a selective concept depending on what statement is made and who delivered that particular statement.  It is MY PERSONAL OPINION, that freedom of speech is symbolic of a double edged sword! 

Think about it, we are suppose to have the right to express our thoughts, and say what we feel without the fear of retaliation. 

In the past year alone, there have been several celebrities who have made statements that were very mean-spirited and racist. There were comments made that  attacked a certain lifestyle and a certain type of person and their religious beliefs and even the concept that there was no holocaust.

Depending on who the offender was, each individual case was handled in a different way, some of which may have seemed extreme and other cases that seemed to be pushed under the rug after the initial shock wore off. 

When will we ever truly separate the actual offense with the crime and not blame it on race, sexual orientation, or even religion and hold the offender accountable for their actions and not bring the media or other outside influences into the picture to only complicate the matter.

Hate is universal and so is ignorance! 

It is time our nation and the rest of the world got their priorities straight and worry about the really important issues like Humanity in general, the Envirornment, Global Warming, War, Poverty, Illness , and finding  cures for disease, rather than dwell on comments made by individuals who thought that they were exercising their rights to Freedom of Speech! 

If you are going to attack someone for a comment that was made, make sure that the punishment fits the crime and it is based on the crime and the individual who offended someone because of that comment.  I am really disgusted with every issue being blamed on race, religion and sexual orientation.  Face the facts, most comments are made because of intolerance to others and pure stupidty.  Instead of dwelling on the offense, educate and try to resolve the matter between the person and the issue at hand.  The damage was done, now do something constructive to correct it and leave the media and others out of it!

Iris S. Taub

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Comments on this article:

» left by David Tanguay (1 year 270 days ago.)

You make a good point here Iris, however the Imus incident wasn’t called for. I heard Imus say people shouldn’t judge him without knowing him. Well this certainly should apply to him as well. These high school girls were innocent school children, when you call someone a hoe, the meaning of the word (prostitute) this is an insult and how can you leave the media out of the picture, this wasn’t an isolated incident. It was broadcast on the air. If I heard my name on the radio proclaiming “Dave Tanguay is a so and so” knowing this broadcast was being aired throughout the country. I would want my name cleared from this accusation if it wasn’t the truth. I believe the punishment did fit the crime.


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» left by Iris S. Taub from Parkland, Florida (1 year 270 days ago.)


I appreciate and respect your comment on the article but if you noticed I did say most comments are made out of intolerance and stupidity. Imus has been on the air waves for years, and has offended many people. What he said was disgusting but I don't believe that the Rev. Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson should have been involved. This was something between Imus and of course those innocent teenagers and their team. Too bad that others who have offended have not been punished for what they have said in the past as well. If we are going to punish those who offend it needs to be for all not just a selective few, and believe I think that he deserved to be fired because he is a public figure and should set a good example not a negative one for his viewers. He can applogize until the cows come home but offensive is still offensive and there is no reason for name calling. However, if you remember the incident with the cast members of Grey's Anatomy, the offender was told he needed to get therapy but was never fired from the show and he also should have been, because it was offensive to hurt someone just because they were gay. People should be held accountable for their actions and not hide behind the pros and cons of race and especially Freedom of Speech.
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» left by M. Wright from Houston, TX (1 year 270 days ago.)

The Constitutional Right of Freedom of Speech is not a freedom if we must fight for it.

If we do not like the president, this is a free country and we can call him a loser, or a winner if we like the guy.

I have been writing for internet publications since 1997, and the present "climate" of Freedom of Speech is severely impinged upon.

People should be held accountable for their actions when a crime is committed. It is not a crime to hurt someone’s feelings! I guarantee you that if Chris Rock had said the same thing, he would not have been fired.

Imus has insulted so many people; I rarely even take him serious.

I fear that we are creating a world where Freedom of Speech is only Free to a select few.

I do not like Jesse Jackson and he has offended me; so what?

The state of Texas considered our organization to be offensive and sued me. The state lost, but I am much more cautious about what I write on the internet.

Freedom is not free if we have to ask for it.

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» left by Avis Ward ^(11,479)
Avis Ward (1 year 270 days ago.)

Simply because we have a "right" to say a thing doesn't make it right in saying it. Morals, character, integrity, honor and respect should factor in somewhere. Besides, in my mind, Imus has had this coming for far too long. I think this is just the right opportunity advertisers and producers have been looking for to dump this cretin. Good riddance, in my opinion.
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