Quite obviously our constitutional right to freedom of expression here in the US is pretty nifty, I can speak my mind freely about just about anything i choose granted that it doesn't classify as libel/slander or invoke widespread panic (such as screaming fire in an enclosed area). We are free to say things like "That president Obama guy sure is lame" or "wow isn't this YouTube thing pretty great guys!" all without worry of being thrown in prison or executed on the spot which although may seem like a bit of a hyperbole but in some countries around the globe *cough* *cough* North Korea *cough*, and at the very least freedom of speech were it is present is quite often limited in some way.
So seeings as how its such a marvelous and exemplary privilege to posses its a shame that its very essence is often completely disregarded, or used in a way that can only be described as deplorable. If you asked any average American to list off all of their principle constitutional rights many would be very quick to include the Freedom of Speech, especially over something like the illegal quartering of soldiers, however many often take it for granted and don't really appreciate it. I turn to Walter Lippmann with his essay "The Indispensable Opposition" in which he reveals how many people only tend to truly value freedom of speech when it applies to themselves. I would love to go more in depth on his argument however I could spend an hour just on that so instead I'll put the link at the bottom for anyone who wishes to give it a look.
One issue that irks me more than any other is that of the movie "The Interview". To think that at any time OUR rights and privileges can be stepped on by the whims of terrorists is just absurd. Although no i am not asking for a nuclear missile to be jammed down our throat i do not condone SONY's actions in delaying (initially cancelling) the release of their movie simply because of a threat from one of the most politically corrupt countries in the world. Although the most dramatic, it wouldn't exactly be the first time someone has made a video making fun of North Korea (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxDgQJBVJxg). I believe Jon Stewart like always provides a very striking (and humorous) perspective on the subject. http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/o3r1be/the-silence-of-the-film
regardless of whether you are a journalist or a political activist or just an average Joe, freedom of speech applies to all of us and we must respect and uphold it no matter what. A great man (François-Marie Arouet) once said "I wholly disapprove of what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it" and i hold that truth to be of the utmost importance if we truly are to remain a "Free" state.
http://grossmont.gcccd.cc.ca.us/bertdill/docs/indispensableopposition.pdf
I really enjoyed reading your blog post Alex! It was very interesting, and I appreciated the humor in it at the same time. I also believe that freedom of speech is really a very important right to Americans, and a lot of us do take that for granted. You're right though, if I was asked to list our constitutional rights, I would definitely say freedom of speech right away. I liked that you wrote about something that a lot of us do not take the time to think about often enough. Sometimes it's easy to forget that we love so much differently than so many other people outside of our country. I also thought that the fact that The Interview was able to be delayed was crazy. I looked at some of the links/sources that you posted, and I'm glad that you added them. They were informative and funny too!
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