Free speech holds a great amount of value in the United States today, especially with all sorts of new technology, like computers and cell phones, but free speech is just one little part of the whole First Amendment.
Many people in the United States think that the First Amendment only contains the right to free speech, but it also includes the right to assemble peacefully, to practice a religion without persecution, and the right to "petition the government for a redress of grievances".
Americans are always on the lookout for wrongs committed against freedom of speech, whether it be from a high school paper that was wrongly censored, to someone who has had their right to free speech taken away from them for no legitimate reason. But Americans need to realize that the other parts of the First Amendment are just as important.
The other rights in the First Amendment have just as much weight behind them as the right to free speech with significant backgrounds in history. The pilgrims and others like them left Europe because they were being persecuted for their religion, so they came to America, where they could practice their religion in peace. The Declaration of Independence is a petition to the English government for the wrongs committed against the American people.
The Founding Fathers understood the four rights contained in the First Amendment all had a certain importance to the Bill of Rights when they were writing it, so they chose those rights, not just freedom of speech, to comprise the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights for the citizens of the United States of America.
- Emily Baugh
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Fighting for Freedom of Speech 2400 Years Ago
While many people today take freedom of speech for granted, many people throughout history didn’t even know what this freedom was. In the past, few sought to tell their opinions and speak their minds in opposition to authorities. The few who did rise and say what they had to say would have had to be very brave characters.
In 339 BC, Socrates, considered today one of the greatest philosophers who ever lived, was put to trial by the Athenians for his social and moral criticism of the city. He was sentenced to death. Before his death, he challenged the government in a great speech, claiming that he was right and they were wrong. He never backed down, accusing his prosecutors and pointing out their faults. Socrates considered himself a teacher of morals to the people and spoke his mind even though he knew his words might lead to his death.
Socrates compared himself to a fly bothering a horse, the horse being the state. He was constantly criticizing, judging and urging the state to take moral and correct actions.
During his trial, Socrates said: “Men of Athens, I am grateful and I am your friend, but I will obey the god rather than you, and as long as I draw breath and am able, I shall not cease to practice philosophy, to exhort you…” (Plato, Apology. 30E). Though he knew this would anger the people, he told them he would keep criticizing them and teaching them as long as he could; he would continue being the fly bothering the horse. Socrates’ words and actions, which angered and contradicted the state, eventually cost him his life.
Americans today, as possessors of the great liberty of free speech, the freedom to say whatever they want whenever they want, should remember Socrates and his persistency. Socrates stood up to authorities in a time when speech was not a freedom.
-Naama Levy
In 339 BC, Socrates, considered today one of the greatest philosophers who ever lived, was put to trial by the Athenians for his social and moral criticism of the city. He was sentenced to death. Before his death, he challenged the government in a great speech, claiming that he was right and they were wrong. He never backed down, accusing his prosecutors and pointing out their faults. Socrates considered himself a teacher of morals to the people and spoke his mind even though he knew his words might lead to his death.
Socrates compared himself to a fly bothering a horse, the horse being the state. He was constantly criticizing, judging and urging the state to take moral and correct actions.
During his trial, Socrates said: “Men of Athens, I am grateful and I am your friend, but I will obey the god rather than you, and as long as I draw breath and am able, I shall not cease to practice philosophy, to exhort you…” (Plato, Apology. 30E). Though he knew this would anger the people, he told them he would keep criticizing them and teaching them as long as he could; he would continue being the fly bothering the horse. Socrates’ words and actions, which angered and contradicted the state, eventually cost him his life.
Americans today, as possessors of the great liberty of free speech, the freedom to say whatever they want whenever they want, should remember Socrates and his persistency. Socrates stood up to authorities in a time when speech was not a freedom.
-Naama Levy
Friday, April 11, 2008
In a little less than a month, Indiana will hold its first meaningful primary in forty years. With 84 democratic delegates up for grabs, and only 143 delegates separating Barack Obama from Hilary Clinton, there’s a lot at stake in this primary.
For many people our age, this will be the first time they get to make a difference in the political process. For eighteen years, voting has been distant and far-off. But now many high school students are forced to actually contemplate who they think will do a better job of leading America.
When the stakes are so high, it is absolutely necessary that they take voting seriously. Being allowed to effect change in one’s own government is a right which should not be taken lightly. It is an incredibly important part of freedom of expression, and with this right comes the responsibility to sincerely weigh the options available to them.
This is the closest nomination contest in years. No matter which candidate comes out on top, there will be a large-scale change in the new administration from the past one. It is in the voters hands to make that change. As new voters, high school students might not yet be aware of the power they wield. They should realize that voting is an important right which is an integral part of their freedom of expression.
-Stan deRuijter
Staff Writer
For many people our age, this will be the first time they get to make a difference in the political process. For eighteen years, voting has been distant and far-off. But now many high school students are forced to actually contemplate who they think will do a better job of leading America.
When the stakes are so high, it is absolutely necessary that they take voting seriously. Being allowed to effect change in one’s own government is a right which should not be taken lightly. It is an incredibly important part of freedom of expression, and with this right comes the responsibility to sincerely weigh the options available to them.
This is the closest nomination contest in years. No matter which candidate comes out on top, there will be a large-scale change in the new administration from the past one. It is in the voters hands to make that change. As new voters, high school students might not yet be aware of the power they wield. They should realize that voting is an important right which is an integral part of their freedom of expression.
-Stan deRuijter
Staff Writer
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Freedom of speech is not excuse for slander
Juicycampus.com has recently been a frequent news story. It is a gossip site, whose slogan states “Always anonymous…Always juicy…”
Juicy campus is full of anonymous sources posting on sexually explicit subjects as well as fellow students. The problem with the anonymousness of the site is that it only applies to the poster, not the person being talked about. The site, which includes an Indiana University chapter, is full of names of university members.
While the site is infamous for accusing innocent and naïve students of being “the biggest sluts on campus” there is plenty more gossiping going on. The site also accuses professors of sleeping with students and having STDs, which is an accusation that could very negative affect that professor’s career.
What’s the site’s excuse for all this “anonymous” posting? The first amendment of course. A California court agreed, backing up forums everywhere.
However, that ruling only protects California, leaving the rest of the world to fight for their rights. The first amendment was put in place to protect the public, not as an excuse to publicly humiliate peers and post slander.
So far, there have been a few arrests through Juicy Campus. Posts about school shootings are taken very seriously, and a few posters have been arrested. This is a very small number of users and has yet to discourage students from using the site.
Fighting against websites like Juicy Campus is protecting the first amendment’s reputation, because like the law also states everyone has the right to a good reputation.
- Kali Skiles
reviews editor
Juicy campus is full of anonymous sources posting on sexually explicit subjects as well as fellow students. The problem with the anonymousness of the site is that it only applies to the poster, not the person being talked about. The site, which includes an Indiana University chapter, is full of names of university members.
While the site is infamous for accusing innocent and naïve students of being “the biggest sluts on campus” there is plenty more gossiping going on. The site also accuses professors of sleeping with students and having STDs, which is an accusation that could very negative affect that professor’s career.
What’s the site’s excuse for all this “anonymous” posting? The first amendment of course. A California court agreed, backing up forums everywhere.
However, that ruling only protects California, leaving the rest of the world to fight for their rights. The first amendment was put in place to protect the public, not as an excuse to publicly humiliate peers and post slander.
So far, there have been a few arrests through Juicy Campus. Posts about school shootings are taken very seriously, and a few posters have been arrested. This is a very small number of users and has yet to discourage students from using the site.
Fighting against websites like Juicy Campus is protecting the first amendment’s reputation, because like the law also states everyone has the right to a good reputation.
- Kali Skiles
reviews editor
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
