2008 Woodie Awards
Free Speech Misunderstood and Misused
The Arbiter (Boise State University)
Jonathon Sawmiller
Issue date: 8/31/07 Section: Commentary
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Free speech. It's one of American citizens' most important rights -- important enough that our Founding Fathers clearly stated it in the First Amendment to the Constitution. Unfortunately, it seems to be rather misunderstood and misused these days.
Too often, leftists believe freedom of speech means only those with whom they agree should be free to speak. During a pre-class discussion last week, one of my fellow students of the liberal persuasion angrily proclaimed that Boise State University President Bob Kustra should be fired. His crime? Allowing FOX News senior judicial analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano to speak on Kustra's weekly show on Boise State radio.
"I couldn't believe it," she sputtered angrily. "The whole reason I listen to NPR is so I don't have to hear any of that conservative crap!" I pointed out that maybe a little diversity of thought was healthy for an institution of higher learning. "But I was so offended!" she returned. "I totally don't agree with him. I just don't think that type of thought has any place at a university."
It was eerily similar to another incident a few months back, when I asked a student why she was tearing down advertisements for a speech about Islam and terrorism by professor and best-selling author Robert Spencer. "I don't think conservative ideas belong on a college campus" was her explanation.
There you have it -- leftist freedom of speech in a nutshell. As long as I believe something, it should be allowed. If I disagree, then it should be censored. And if I pull out the "I'm offended" card, then everyone's rights are trumped and free speech must be squashed, the Constitution be damned.
It seems ludicrous, but this is the current state of higher education. Calling for censorship of a well-respected judicial expert because he believes the Constitution provides for limited government is acceptable, even expected. Vandalism and destruction of property are OK as long as one is trying to silence an opinion one doesn't like.
Too often, leftists believe freedom of speech means only those with whom they agree should be free to speak. During a pre-class discussion last week, one of my fellow students of the liberal persuasion angrily proclaimed that Boise State University President Bob Kustra should be fired. His crime? Allowing FOX News senior judicial analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano to speak on Kustra's weekly show on Boise State radio.
"I couldn't believe it," she sputtered angrily. "The whole reason I listen to NPR is so I don't have to hear any of that conservative crap!" I pointed out that maybe a little diversity of thought was healthy for an institution of higher learning. "But I was so offended!" she returned. "I totally don't agree with him. I just don't think that type of thought has any place at a university."
It was eerily similar to another incident a few months back, when I asked a student why she was tearing down advertisements for a speech about Islam and terrorism by professor and best-selling author Robert Spencer. "I don't think conservative ideas belong on a college campus" was her explanation.
There you have it -- leftist freedom of speech in a nutshell. As long as I believe something, it should be allowed. If I disagree, then it should be censored. And if I pull out the "I'm offended" card, then everyone's rights are trumped and free speech must be squashed, the Constitution be damned.
It seems ludicrous, but this is the current state of higher education. Calling for censorship of a well-respected judicial expert because he believes the Constitution provides for limited government is acceptable, even expected. Vandalism and destruction of property are OK as long as one is trying to silence an opinion one doesn't like.
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