Torn

I've ranted a bit on this before - a commentary on NPR by author Mark Bowden (Black Hawk Down) on Misunderstanding the First Amendment. I largely agreed with his main point...

The First Amendent protects you from being jailed, tortured, or executed for speaking your mind. Period. It is part of the United States Constitution, which sets the rules for how our government behaves. It does not protect you from the consequences of making an ass out of yourself. It is a little bit touching that so many Americans equate losing your gig in Las Vegas, or the distributor for your film, or your cushy role as a corporate spokesman, with genuine government oppression.

For no real reason apart from a few spare minutes of time on my hands here and there, I've revisited that position. I haven't recanted. But, I'm wrestling with the notion that there are powerful people, some powerful enough to be de facto governments in and of themselves, who can shut down your ability to express yourself as effectively as any government soldier from a true dictatorial regime. Whether it's via lawsuits, spin-doctoring or threats to your economic well-being, the end result is the same as if some Federali held a knife to your throat.

But, here's the point where it takes me back around to my original point of view. If you have the intelligence and the wherewithal to put together a logical, yet controversial argument about, say, the price of tea in China, then you should have the intelligence to know that you could be ticking some people off. And, at that point, doesn't it become like any other life choice where you actually, God forbid, have to weigh out the potential consequences of your actions before deciding to run your mouth?

I haven't decided yet. But, the reason the whole thing has come back to the forefront of my mind was this story...

Academic Freedom in the Post-Sept. 11 Era

Talk of the Nation, February 9, 2005 · A controversial essay by a University of Colorado professor has state officials calling for his ouster.

I realize the situation is different because the concept of academic freedom comes into play here. But, when state officials start sticking their nose in there... well, it's messy, isn't it?