Free speech is something that a lot of people don’t understand. While it is about many things, the one most of us seem to come into daily contact with is opinion. The freedom to voice dissatisfaction with something and to be critical of other people is a freedom that many have died for. Why do so many people seem to forget this?
My opinion, which many people apparently consider unsavory, is often countered in print via letters to the editor. This is a necessary part of public discourse because it allows readers to hear both sides.
This especially rings true with the Daily 49er’s Web site, www.daily49er.wpengine.com, which allows comments to be posted regarding any of the articles found there.
Before continuing, let me note two things. First, this article is not about the people who write hateful and ludicrous things in the comments section of the Daily 49er’s Web site. I actually love those comments because they showcase the rants of the insane people among us.
Second, I’m not writing this article to somehow complain about posts. On the contrary, people can say whatever they want within reason, and I am the first to acknowledge that right. And this is precisely because of the principle that free speech applies to speech that you agree with and — believe it or not — speech that you don’t agree with.
That being said, the same issues are being raised in the comments section, regarding my articles and me. Appropriately, I want to put a few things to rest once and for all. Call it a public service, if you will.
One thing that always seems to invariably come up is what I know about the issues I write about. A poster by the name of “C. Miller,” for example, wonders why the Daily 49er would print what Miller refers to as “blatant Christian bashing” found in one of my articles some time ago.
The Daily 49er values free speech, so why would it not print an article that opens up a discourse on a subject as hotly debated as, say, religion?
Anyway, I never bashed any Christians, as “C. Miller” accuses me of. Rather, I simply put my opinions forth, which happen to be in direct opposition to Miller’s own. Furthermore, I don’t just think Christianity is ludicrous, I think every form of organized religion is — at least I’m consistent.
What makes me an expert, “C. Miller” asks? Well, I’ll tell you.
Consider the subject of religion. Based on thousand-year-old texts with unknown authors that contain stories of events which never could have possibly occurred, to assume that the “experts” among us on these topics are anything other than people spouting bullshit, is offensive to a sane minded person like myself.
So, to answer your question, my expertise on the subject is no different than that of any priest, rabbi or imam.
Another issue that people seem to always confuse is real news from opinion and commentary. I never claim my opinion pieces are hard news, yet people always seem to think either me or the Daily 49er are trying to pass them off as such.
According to a poster by the name of “Hey Rube,” I “come from the Fox News school of thinking, which is spewing a thoughtless opinion with no factual basis.” I see. So basically, the only news source which is correct is the one in which you put faith in.
If you’re a Fox News fan, then no other news is legitimate; if you’re an MSNBC fan, then nothing else compares. You get the point.
The bottom line is that opinion and public discourse are two things that many Americans always seem to take for granted. I’m all for healthy debate, so by all means, continue your posts, no matter how unfounded they are. Feel free to disagree with me on anything you want.
Just remember that I am protected by the same First Amendment rights that you are protected by.
Gerry Wachovsky is a graduate student and columnist for the Daily 49er
Disclaimer: The Daily 49er is not responsible for comments made on www.daily49er.wpengine.com. Persons commenting are solely responsible for comments made on this Web site. The Daily 49er strongly advises individuals to not abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid language suggestive of hate speech.
