You May Not Want Dissent, But You Have to Defend It

<a href=www.zwire.com>zwire Alex Lekas April 16, 2003

It is the right to free speech and expression that makes America different from Iraq, for instance; you can protest your government's actions and live to tell about it.

I may disagree with them, but I'll also defend their right to speak their minds, even if what they say makes me mad.

Protests, speeches, marches, and banners don't make the participants treasonous or traitorous anymore than changing the name of deep-fried potatoes to freedom fries makes sanctimonious politicians patriotic.

It is the right to free speech and expression that makes America different from Iraq, for instance; you can protest your government's actions and live to tell about it.

Still, there is some misunderstanding about the First Amendment. The right to say something does not have a corresponding requirement that people hear it. There is also the possibility that your free speech or expression may have some consequences. Blocking roads and bridges might lead to you being arrested; your comments may lead radio stations to pull your records or the public to avoid your albums, movies, or television shows; and, waving signs in front of the Market House may lead those who disagree to shout insults at you. Finally, if you're going to protest, is it too much to ask that you bring forth a good argument? To date, you've not done a good job:

We're against Mr. Bush's war. Motivated by a visceral dislike for the President, these folks are more interested in the defeat of the Republican Party than the Republican Guard.

Inspectors should have been given more time. Twelve years, people; 12 years.

Thousands of innocent civilians will be killed. Thousands of Iraqis, perhaps millions, have already been killed, and by their own government.

This war is about oil. If it were, we would just invade Canada and Venezuela, each of which is a far greater supplier to the US than is Iraq.

This is bleeding money from domestic priorities. The primary role of the federal government is to provide for the common defense and ensure domestic tranquility.

Iraq is no threat to us. An already belligerent regime with a history of attacking its neighbors only becomes bolder if allowed to develop weapons of mass destruction. Would you have the same conviction about a nuclear Iraq?

Signs referring to Bush and Britain's Tony Blair as Hitlers and calling the US a terrorist nation. The attempt to draw moral equivalency between the two sides is so intellectually bankrupt it's not worth rebutting.

What about North Korea? This is not a bad question, and it speaks precisely to why we're in Iraq. North Korea, now with nuclear capability, is the result of the same hand wringing, pleading, negotiating, and capitulating anti-war protesters wanted regarding Iraq.

We're opposed to military intervention, period. Not a very practical stance, but at least pacifism is principled. Those preaching it, however, should use a language other than English, because if their point of view had prevailed in the past, who knows what we would be speaking today.

We're against the war but support the troops. Sorry, you can''t have it both ways. It's logically impossible to oppose an action while simultaneously to support those executing it. You can, however, hope for a swift conclusion with as few casualties as possible.

At this point, it's reasonable to ask exactly what is being protested? The coalition is not going to retreat or withdraw. The battle plan and strategy can certainly be debated, and plenty of retired and armchair generals are doing that, but that's just a question of tactics.

Continued protesting against the action itself leaves anti-war voices sounding as though they hope coalition forces are defeated, and while that may qualify as free speech, it is beyond that which I'm willing to defend.

Post your opinion and share your thoughts with other readers!

Name: Vickie Pleiss Date: Apr, 16 2003 Thank you, thank you, thank you! I absolutely agree! Is the idea of personal accountability really so foreign to so many? If they protest...it's part of their freedoms. If I don't agree with their protests, I'm intollerant. If they use their position as a forum for political opinion, that is absolutely their right...but it is MY right to NOT agree, or watch their movies or purchase their CD's. Our politicians are held accountable for their words AND actions. So are we...we are free to say and do as we please (within legal limits) but must also be willing to live with the consequences of our actions and our words. Again, thank you!