Freedom of Speech

Submitted by Yaakov Elefant (Israel), Apr 6, 2003 at 05:03

Hi -

I would raise the following 3 issues with the article, they are:

1 - "intellectuals" have almost always opposed the "establishment".
2 - are these rights not protected in the constitution of America?
3 - better the enemey we know than the one we do not know.

As a product of the campus riots against the Viet Nam War it almost "goes with the territory". All my Poli Sci profs were against the War whether they could really justify their position or not. It may considered part of the intellectual freedom espoused to exist on University campuses which encourages "free thinkers" to be contrary to the Government no matter what the Governemnt chooses to do. So if I were to allow them the benefit of the doubt this might be an approach to take.

Freedom of Speech is a constitutional right as long as it does not call for harm to others. So other than De Genova & Paulin statements I cannot condemn anyone from stating his opinion, no matter how false & racist they may be! However regarding De Geova & Pauliin I would like to see the Justice department discuss issues of incitement with these gentlemen.

Lastly, I believe totally in the freedom of speech because with it I can easily recognize who the real enemy is! I am in favor of discussion and airing all ideas because in the end the true colors of those who speak come out, as can be viewed with the discussions with Yassar Arafat.

Democracy may have its faults, but I would like to see these "Professors" spout anti-establishment statements anywhere in the middle east. They would no longer be professors or perhaps they would no longer be..that is, in all but one place in the middle east. Democracy with all its faults does exist in Israel as does Freedom of Speech.

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