I did a paper on Pornography and the First Amendment when I was in political theory in another life. I was thinking even then, that I could not absolutely put pornography as something that should not be protected even if I found it offensive. Though also in many situations there is proof that certain porn can cause further harm to women from men who are desensitized by hard core porn. It can bring out everything horrible about human nature and now it is all over the internet. There are also many people who dedicate their life against porn and those who spend their life working for it. The entire thing really did disgust me in the end, and I decided that I could not find anything criminal in the actions. True, if there are actual criminal actions taken place in filming then that is one thing, but that actual creation is in a sense creative thought which some enjoy and others hate. It is an expression, it is something that is to be protected.
That is something beautiful about this country which many do not follow in others, that all speech is protected. You can yell about how horrible our leader is and have no arrest record. You can express your belief that all people should live on a commune and worship the earth... Basically it doesn't matter, the speech is allowed. With this what confuses me is the mention of "hate speech". I believe that is speech aimed hurtfully at certain groups. I know that some countries do outlaw such speech and I know there are some that wish to do that here.
To me with speech and expression there will always be those offended and those who will not be. I notice that in day to day life. Where as I may be offended by attacks on the Catholic Church, others may find those supporting the Catholic Church offensive because of their stances on many issues that are not popular today. So initially, doesn't it come down to what is popular? Now I know that many views that I have are unpopular, though I am a rational person. I think I can be more rational than most I meet I have to admit. So when I speak things through in full explanation sometimes I don't really get a great response. Explaining political beliefs and religious beliefs tends to leave people on one side or another, when will you know that what is popular ends up being against what you believe? Now things can be offensive, and I wish not everyone did express those things openly. But who do you trust to decide what is offensive and what is not? Would you trust the government at this point? I can tell you that with mess that we have made, I would not. I wouldn't trust most of them to watch my house and I can't believe they are watching over our constitution.
Just look at the people that are in charge of our country before you give them more power. Read over their past and read over their views. You are not giving authority to your local priest and it is not made by you and your friends. Power is given to the people we elect into office. Plus if you find them offensive, write back, speak back or do something. There is nothing in our constitution that doesn't say that you can't overpower ignorance with reason. What I don't want to see if taking the approach of trying to shut down a medium or a show for its political views. If you think it is wrong, then voice your opinions! We are in a free country! Don't support our government shutting down any medium due to speech!
I was just reading about cutting off of advertisers to Glenn Beck. I was thinking of what cowards the people are who took action to shut down the show through a "back door approach". The show still has plenty of viewers and it is popular. If you wish to attack it then do what you can to pursue the viewers in swaying views of the people. Don't try to take away through bullying of force. It really is cowardly.
Well, didn't really mean to write about that. I just saw nothing posted and then read something on the Huffington Post. Yep, I read everything:)
Good Night.
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