Patriots and Parrots: Imprisoning Tongues in America

It can be dangerous to engage in free speech. This year alone, 242 journalists, in countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, have been tossed into jail for their words, and one has been killed.

Here at home, our bodies remain free, but our tongues are imprisoned. As Dan Rather stated after 9/11, "Patriotism has run amok." Reminiscent of Joe McCarthy's "red hysteria," we are told to shut up, salute the flag, and applaud White House policy during this "war on terror." Otherwise we risk being branded un-American.

Political satirist Bill Maher was publicly skewered and lost his show "Politically Incorrect." The Dixie Chicks were plucked off the radio, and a 33,000 pound tractor was used to crush their CDs in a public protest. The latest casualty in the "word witch hunt" is University of Colorado professor Ward Churchill who likened some World Trade Center victims to Nazi bureaucrat Adolf Eichmann, and who may lose his tenured position as a result. A number of journalists in America have lost their jobs.

Rather than examine the flaws or merits of their controversial speech, I will present three questions for further reflection.

First, is it patriotic to parrot the cheers choreographed by a Commander-in-Chief? Or was Thomas Jefferson correct when he wrote, "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism"?

If one believes our nation's policies to be in error, isn't the path of courage to speak out, the path of cowardice to remain silent? Should one go down with the Titanic, if one may have a strategy for keeping it afloat, regardless of how much it might inconvenience or enrage the other passengers? Is it possible that those who have been demonized for uttering so-called seditious words are in some way assisting our country, whether for right or wrong, giving us a perspective that we may have otherwise overlooked?

Perhaps the freedom of speech amendment is First because the ability to speak openly is largely what it means to be American. The paradox is that the most outspoken polemicist can be both courageously loyal and yet demonized as a traitor. In fact, two true patriots can present diametrically opposed arguments at the same time. Parrots, on the other hand, have only one general line.

Secondly, is the "war on terror" really a war, and how does this impact freedom of speech? Traditionally, wars are armed conflicts between sovereign states; now we have declared war on an emotion, terror. Our soldiers are fighting and dying, but because the war is against "terror," it can never end. Terror, like drugs and poverty, cannot be entirely eliminated. Since the battle cannot end, does our silence never end? Can we never again speak against U.S. policy?

Thirdly, is it possible that slurs directed at individuals for their "lack of patriotism" are nothing more than political maneuvers, meant to gain power and discredit one's opponents? Democrats also use this tactic against Republicans, such as when Michael Moore said, "They are not patriots. They are hate-riots."

Yet, Republicans are viewed as the more patriotic party, thus enjoy greater success with this marginalizing technique. We should beware of suspicious labels and partisan motives that relegate ones political adversaries to the enemy's cave, to a conspiratorial pact with Bin Laden.

For each individual whose speech is targeted, there are no doubt hundreds, if not thousands, who censor innovative thoughts before attempting to offer them in the marketplace of ideas.

The next time you hear the word "unpatriotic" or "un-American" tossed about, do not accept. Question. Think about censorship and self-censorship. Think about whether you want our country to have a staple menu of bread and water or one listing many flavorful dishes.

Think about whether you believe in Voltaire's idea, "I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" or Ari Fleisher's idea that all Americans should "watch what they say" in this time of crisis.

Think about whether you want a land of parrots or one of patriots.

Charlotte Laws, Ph.D. is a syndicated columnist, a member of the Greater Valley Glen Council and the president of the League for Earth and Animal Protection (LEAP). Her political website is http://www.CharlotteLaws.org

---

The Irish Issue

The expertise and advancement of the evolution of man and... Read More

PA Congressional Pay Hike Raises Eyebrows

While many Pennsylvanians are struggling to figure out how they... Read More

What is the Filibuster-Breaking Nuclear Option?

What is the so-called "nuclear option" that Senator Bill Frist... Read More

Chinese Rhetoric Over Taiwan, Back At You

It appears we are getting a little bit of Sun... Read More

The Protocols of Sion # 2

-The Protocol plan 'will remain invisible until the moment when... Read More

Banana Republic - United Kingdom

The recent scathing remarks by High Court Judge Richard Mawrey... Read More

Political Lobbying & Biblical Aspects of the Mid-East Crisis

1) IS HAVING A DEMOCRACY MORE EFFECTIVE IN ADDRESSING POLITICAL... Read More

Global/Israeli Corruption!

What depth of blind insanity has inflicted itself upon Israel's... Read More

What are the benefits of Nuclear War again; I must have missed that point?

Indian and Pakistan and nuclear war. What does the world... Read More

In Defense of the Feds Vs Katrina

I, too, am saddened by the disaster in New Orleans... Read More

Dont Trade Rights for Security

"Those who sacrifice essential liberty for temporary safety are not... Read More

Fuel Prices and Trucking; A Reality Check On What Drives America

It appears we are having a terrible situation with the... Read More

Hypocrisy of Over Regulation

All to often law makers and regulators create rules and... Read More

True Democracy and a Way Forward

The process of researching this topic has been an interesting... Read More

Globalism and a Conspiracy

The globalist's are the new breed, the new generation if... Read More

More Devastating Than a Nuclear Bomb

Despite their signature on the Biological Weapons Convention of 1975,... Read More

Howard Deans Big Fat Mouth

"The only time I open my mouth is when I... Read More

Arrogance Of Terror

The man on the tape raised his hand, pointing a... Read More

Maryland Lawyers and Politicians Want More Regulations

We know that in Maryland, which some call "Merry Land"... Read More

Richard Nixon, the truth

Richard Nixon was by far a most fascinating and colorful... Read More

How Futuristic Is Anarchy As A Way To Organize The State (I)

When organising a country or a group of people in... Read More

UAV Targets, Aerial Dog Fights, Interception, Future of War Intelligence

The UAV, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is hear to stay and... Read More

What could Macedonia Learn from a Tiger? Asian Tigers and Uninterrupted Economic Growth

The first reaction of economies in transition is a sharp... Read More

MAURITANIA: Celebrating Tayas Ouster? Musical Chairs No Longer Fashionable In Africa

A few hours ago, Colonel Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, the... Read More

Government Backed Fraud in Academia

Contrary to the Hobbesian prediction of anarchy (freedom) and brutish... Read More

Oil Pipelines and Rates of Flow

How much oil can travel through a pipeline? It depends... Read More

Why One May Not be able to Locate Your Lost Money in the States Unclaimed Property Database

With respect to the States' databases, you may not locate... Read More

Is Congress Going to Lay the Groundwork to Include Education with the Steroid Legislation?

As of late steroid use in sports has been the... Read More

Are American Twins - Majority Rule and Public Opinion, Sometimes Just a Couple of Dumbbells?

The idea that the majority shows the will of the... Read More

US Government Regulators and Aides with AIDS

All government regulators or diplomat who are in high risk... Read More

The Federal Trade Commission, reality check

Federal Trade Commission Owes Industry and Entrepreneurs an Apology. The... Read More

Wartime Prisoners and the Will to Fight; War is Hell, Let?s Win Alright?

We learned some lessons in these last few wars. For... Read More

Dole, Kemp, Trusting People

Many in the peanut gallery of society are so quick... Read More