Freedom of Speech: Has it Gone to Far?

2011-05-30T07:34:00.000-07:00

The first ammendement to the United States constitution guarantees all of us the right to free speech. This may be most fundamental right as Americans that we have. Other nations such as Iran and France do not have such rights.

We have something now we didn't have even 10-15 years ago and that is the explosion of social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter and My Space, not to mention outlets like Google's Blogger that enables people like me to create a blogging in page like this.

SO with all of these social media outlets and cable and network television, where are the limitations to the first ammendment violated?

Bloggers can blog anything they want on their sites even if it attacks innocent people. You or I can be the victim of these attacks which are done out of spite and evilness for virtually no reason and no truth. As an example,an athletic director at a high school or college could be accused of wrong doing in a post or social media outlet. First ammendment rights protect the accuser of these allegations whether they are true or not.

Such allegations can ruin a person's career and personal life. The sad thing in cases like this, the school districts here these fairy tales and do not back up their employees. School districts run at the sound of "lawsuit" or to protect their school's image when they should be protecting the real victim of false allegations, like in my example; the athletic director or coach.

I use this example only to illustrate a true setting that has forced a great coach to the bleachers. Sadly, this Freedom of Speech right without morals and values attached can ruin the lives of anyone. Politicians, doctors, teachers, coaches, dentists, regular people; all could be victims. Good, innocent people can become a victim from the lack of morals and values ignited by the 'freedom of speech perpetrator.

Martin Luther King was murdered simply because someone didn't like what he stood for and what he was preaching as he led the civil rights revival in the 60's. A great great man, taken from his family for speaking the truth.

If you are an employer, you need to support and defend this type of injustice. If you are a blogger or writer or news publication, publish your story with some integrity. Remember the reason we were granted this right in the first place and don't abuse it.

The government is slowly taking our rights away. This will continue if we continue to take our freedoms to an extreme and abuse the constitution designed to protect us in the first place.

Right or Wrong: It is Fairly Simple

2011-05-29T16:44:00.000-07:00

I can't help but share a story shared with me by a high school umpire yesterday of whom I have known for many years. Working the plate, he calls an obvious ball to everyone in the ball park. The hitter then slams a walk off home run. The parent, a mom, follows the home plate umpire to his car cussing and swearing all the way, saying the umpire was responsible for the home run off her son, the pitcher in this case.
What role do we have as parents? Was this right or wrong? Duh. If you have to think about it twice, don't do it. This parent not only embarrassed herself and her son, she set a horrible example for everyone who witnessed this.
We have a chance to make a difference by a right example. Everyone is watching and even if they aren't do what is right.