It depends on what you think freedom is freedom from. On one level, it's important to establish our nation as a culture where people are free from thugs and bullies. Accountability is a crucial part of that.
With regards to freedom of speech, one could argue that verbal bullies like Imus, et al., are threats to that freedom as well. If we have a national climate where disadvantaged people do not feel safe enough to speak up, because they are being bullied on all sides, then we are sacrificing their speech. We only have freedom of speech if everyone feels free to speak. An episode like this gives us an opportunity to ponder what discourse should look like.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2007-04-12 02:47 pm (UTC)With regards to freedom of speech, one could argue that verbal bullies like Imus, et al., are threats to that freedom as well. If we have a national climate where disadvantaged people do not feel safe enough to speak up, because they are being bullied on all sides, then we are sacrificing their speech. We only have freedom of speech if everyone feels free to speak. An episode like this gives us an opportunity to ponder what discourse should look like.