Freedom of Speech and Public Discourse
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The human voice is a marvelous thing to behold, witness our fascination with the vocal prowess of the Houston's and Bocelli's of the world.
When we speak, debate and publicly discourse we like to be heard. Nobody enjoys one sided conversation, especially with our spouses , friends or business partners.
So too, in what I refer to as "The Forum of Public Opinion", it is more productive to listen and be heard. Today's topics that are read and discussed daily in the press, television and Internet are onerous and have far reaching ramifications.
The EU Debt Crisis, Public Pension Reform and Property Taxes to mention only a few. How can we possibly discuss these tough issues unless we remain civil in our approach.
Freedom of Speech is a fundamental tenet to our American way of life, and I truly enjoy the benefits of this great Freedom in my limited public role. That being said, if you or I talk like tough guys or we ridicule our opposition, how can we then expect those with different points of view to listen to us when we speak?
America is at a crossroads, and She has to start making some very tough decisions. Decisions about Public Policy and our way of life that will effect our grandchildren will be made and they will be made by all of us.
To do so, many of us will have to serve and get involved.
The Forum of Public Opinion is a wonderful arena, something akin to the Roman Coliseum but without the Gladiator and his weapons. How we enter and compete with one another in this Forum over the next few years will have a positive or negative effect on America.
America must resolve her problems and we can, but only by a two way approach in our debates.
Jason Molinet
6:42 pm on Friday, February 17, 2012
Free speech and public debate break down when people refuse to let opposing views be heard. This political cycle is an excellent example. We have polarizing views on everything from right-to-choose to same-sex unions. Closer to home, it's NIMBY. And there is no middle ground. We need moderation.
Robert W
7:49 pm on Friday, February 17, 2012
Kind of like a town board meeting! It's my way or the highway!
Phil Dalton
8:54 am on Saturday, February 18, 2012
I want to take Mr. Kehoe at his word. There is a billionaire supporter of Mitt Romney whose legal counsel sues people for criticizing him in various media. Glenn Greenwald of Salon has offered to collect the money necessary to protect people from this bullying legal action. In the spirit of fostering free speech and deliberation, will you make a contribution? More below:
"I assured May-Chang that if she is sued by VanderSloot and/or his company, I would work endlessly to raise the funds she needed for vigorous legal representation. There is no question that there will be ample willing donors ready to support an independent journalist and a stalwart activist for LGBT equality in Idaho who is the target of a steamrolling, intimidation campaign from a right-wing billionaire fanatic and Romney finance co-chair, especially one plagued with the history that VanderSloot has."
http://www.salon.com/2012/02/17/billionaire_romney_donor_uses_threats_to_silence_critics/
Jason Molinet
10:53 am on Saturday, February 18, 2012
@Phil Free speech is under attack in many ways. But that's one good example.
george dobler
11:41 am on Saturday, February 18, 2012
Periods of public expression held at towns, schools and libraries monthly meetings are wonderfull in that the process of freedom of speech rings loud and clear..Freedom of speech can aid in the vitality of democracy,the strengthening of, as all people no matter what their views can be heard.
In the Huntington town and school district monthly meetings they are either perserved on video or voice and made available to the public. In this way freedom of speech is saved and conveyed to the public so that through the democratic process people can formulate thie views concerning their community.
Unfortunately this is not the case at the Huntington Public Library where there is no practice like the town and school to perserve it's meetings and make them available to the public.When it was requested of this Board to do so they refused! There is no law to mandate them to do so but the town and school do it. What is this Board afraid of?
This Board just past an amendment forbidding any retired Huntington Public library employee from serving as a board member.There was NO PUBLIC discussion about it and they VIOLATED their own policy for amendments! The constitutional rights of the town of Huntington citizens has been violated on the secret passing of this most onerous amendment.
CONCERNED CITIZENS OF ALL WHO SUPPORT DEMOCRACY PLEASE ATTEND THE FEBRUARY 21 LIBRARY BOARD MEETING AT 5:30PM AT 338 MAIN STREET IN THE MEETING ROOM AN HELP TO RESTORE DEMOCRACY TO YOUR LIBRARY!
David Livingston
8:24 am on Sunday, February 19, 2012
I am not a frequent visitor of the HPL, but I saw something years ago that I found alarming in the library, and the library employees response was equally troubling. I walked into the "teen reading room", following my 2 year old at the time. She was walking around, the room was empty. I sat down on one of the bean bag chairs, and started looking at the magazine racks. There was a magazine, that had "Teen Sex Test" labeled on the front of it. Alarmed, I took the magazine, brought it to the woman at the desk and told her (thinking I was doing a good deed) that I found this periodical and that I think it may be inappropriate for "teens" to take a "sex test", being that some teens are under the age of 18. Her response to me was "we don't censor here at the HPL" and took the magazine from me. I told her I was going to go buy a Hustler and place it there as well, since they don't censor. I was kidding by the way. I said it to make a point. If that is the type of culture there is at the HPL, I am glad they don't allow retired employees to serve anywhere.
Goin' Commando
12:48 am on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Mr Livingston, your approach makes me think that the Nanny State has a lot of fans, as long as it suits their personal prejudices.
How does that line go? What's good for the goose is good for the gander?
Be careful what you wish for, friend; it has a way of biting you on the butt, as the new empowerment puts down its roots.
Dan Ciccone
9:50 am on Sunday, February 19, 2012
@ David L.
That is a very interesting anecdote. It should make reasonable people think about where the line between the law and appropriateness, and acceptance lies. I believe that line has become blurred as electronic and digital media has become omnipresent over the last several decades.
Personally, I believe it is a good thing to have the law, the government, allow the article with the “Teen Sex Test” in the library; yet, as a father of two young teenage girls I fully understand why you find it troubling and inappropriate.
Would you really want the law to restrict materials in the library? I would not… But I would like to think that we should model a higher degree of appropriateness in front of children, and hold them accountable to do the same. In the end it is a family choice, and to a degree a school’s responsibilities to illustrate the line between law and appropriateness. In other words, you can’t blame MTV if your daughter watches “Jersey Shore” and thinks that Snookie is cool!
David Livingston
6:52 am on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
@ Commando... I was waiting for an absurd response like yours. There are certain taboos in society that must have a zero tolerance. Children and sex. A 13 year old girl getting access to a "sex test" at the HPL is out of line. I am sure "cool" parents that drink beer and smoke pot with their kids might not have a problem with a young adolescent taking a sex test, but I do. Commando, are you also for the HPL having books that instruct others on how to make IED's as well? Use some common sense.
Goin' Commando
12:32 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
No, I am not a full-blown libertarian, Mr. L, because I find their philosophy antithetical to Judeo-Christian love and charity.
But, there is a world of difference between something dangerous (e.g., IED's, or small tactical nuclear weapons, or sarin nerve gas, etc), and something objectionable to John or Mary, or you, because it makes them/you uncomfortable psychosexually.
Reading is not doing.
Or, Mr. L, do you presume to have the right to determine what everyone else can read?
Are you the new Christian Taliban?
By the way, I do drink beer, but have never smoked pot or done any kind of illegal drugs. And I have never encouraged my own children, all now over 20, to drink at an early age other than a sip of champagne on New Year's Eve, or a glass of wine at their sisters wedding. It's called responsibility and the imparting of both wisdom and good taste.
All of my kids have grown up to be very good, loving, charitable, and responsible adults, thank you.
As for using common sense, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
David Livingston
6:24 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Yes, I do have the right to prevent minors from looking at sexually explicit material, something you have some sort of problem with. I stand by that statement. I do not have to be a religious zealot to think that way. No 9,12,15 or 11 year old should be finding a magazine that provides a "sex test" in a public library. Spare me the sanctimonious statements making me out to be some sort of Archie Bunker. The library provides no parental supervision.
So you won't allow your kids to look at sex tests, but it's ok for other kids to look at it unsupervised. You make no sense.
Jerry Hannon
10:49 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
The two posts above seem rather flawed, since neither party -- both self-described adults -- are specific regarding the matter at hand.
However, the burden of proof is on the one seeking to censor the rest of the community, since Mr. Livingston is talking about some "teen sex test" without actually telling us precisely what is in that "test."
Let's get real, folks; what offends some adults does not offend other adults, so, in order to really judge whether this is a legitimate issue, or just some hyperventillating tirade, Mr. Livingston should get specific with the rest of us adults.
Also, it would be nice to hear from a representative of the Huntington Public Library, about the magazine in dispute, and the nature of access to it by children under the age of 16. Not that I am accusing Mr.Livingston of exaggeration, it would still be helpful to have a second perspective.
But, I would like to find out if Mr.Livingston would also deny access, by 13 or 14 or 15 year-olds, to novels or non-fiction books containing what he considers "salacious" material.