Free Speech
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Free Speech Saturday September 22
I just saw this video on YouTube about a student being subdued by police officers at the University of Florida with a taser. There have been a flurry of comments in both directions, but I saw many that suggested that his freedom of speech was restricted, and that this is yet another indication of how America isn't really "free".
As a former venue employee and facility manager, I have experienced this many times before: controversial speaker, daring student, question and answer session. Student takes the microphone, goes on a tangent about His Issue, lectures the audience before asking a question, and then asks a incendiary, loaded question.
The speaker, however popular or unpopular, is up on stage to be heard, seen, and understood. They're not there to have tomatoes thrown at them: this is part of the social contract of asking someone to come speak. While there may be difficult questions that may come up in due course, the manner and nature of such questions should fit the paradigm in which they are being asked.
This student clearly had not only an agenda, but likely never expected to get his questions answered. I am sure he would have liked to have them answered, but should have been able to assume that his mic would be turned off, questions deflected, or otherwise. He was conducting a stunt such that you and I could talk about it. He succeeds in that regard.
However, we regularly hear "freedom of speech" bantered about as if we have a right to run our mouths off wherever and however we like. I believe this to be a gross misinterpretation. Let me say it in clearer words: you are not special. The world does not care about you. Okay. There we have that.
If I walk into a cafe, order a sandwich, and then climb up on the table and tell everyone who votes Republican where they can shove it, I'd be a pretty dumb fool to wave the "freedom of speech" flag when the manager asks me to leave.
This lecture was a public event, but was held in a private forum by a private group. Sure, if only prescreened questions were allowed to be asked, or if the speaker him or herself had to restrain their expression for fear of punishment, then I would believe there is an issue at hand regarding the First Amendment. However, what we have here, is a common affiliction in the US: just another asshole who has a point to raise and thinks he is right with little regard for public order or common courtesy.
Damn.
Another one?
