Freedom of Speech Under Attack

Oh look, people are trying to piss all over America’s freedom of speech again.

CBS is planning to air an advocacy ad featuring a story about Tim Tebow, Heisman Trophy-winning American football quarterback for the Florida Gators. Tebow’s mother gave birth to him in 1987 despite her doctors’ advice to have an abortion. Apparently her health was at high risk with the pregnancy but she decided to go through with the birth anyway. The ad will tell this story and promote a message of celebrating life and family. Or something like that.

The ad is being paid for by the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family. The group’s spokesman, Gary Schneeberger, says the ad is not political. “I can tell you there’s nothing controversial about it, there’s nothing political about it,” Schneeberger says. “It is simply a very inspirational 30 seconds about celebrating life and celebrating families.”

Women’s groups and abortion rights groups are demanding the ad be pulled. They also warn that CBS might alienate viewers by showing divisive commercials. “An ad that uses sports to divide rather than to unite has no place in the biggest national sports event of the year—an event designed to bring Americans together,” said Jemhu Greene, president of the New York-based Women’s Media Center.

Unfortunately for them, they can’t just have ads they don’t agree with pulled off the air, especially when they don’t impose on anyone’s rights. God forbid they have to … *GASP* … change the channel when the ad comes on. Or … *LOUD SCOFF* … leave the room for a minute. No no. They have to take a nice long piss all over the freedom of speech instead. Yes, that’s much better. And certainly not un-American in the least.

I am aware that abortion is a very, very touchy issue and a divisive  topic, but really this isn’t about abortion. At least not to me. It’s about people who can’t handle the fact that there are others out there who disagree with them, so they go out of their way to try and stifle them. Despite the fact that their opponents are protected by the First Amendment whether they like it or not. They just can’t stand the thought that someone with opposing views is able to speak of them freely to the public.

Please know… This isn’t a matter of who I agree with on the issue of abortion. That will have to remain a mystery for you. But when it comes to our rights I am not biased. If there were a pro-choice ad that Christian groups were demanding be pulled, I would be just as angry with them. It doesn’t matter. I could agree with a particular group on every issue, every policy, everything in the world… I will still give them a good lip-lashing if they try anything to stop protected speech. A Voltaire quote comes to mind. But I don’t know if I’d actually die for your right to say something. Probably not.

Also understand that this is not about whether or not airing the ad is smart or not. A lot of fans are saying they’d rather not see advocacy ads during commercial breaks. Fine. That is their opinion and they are not the ones I’m pissed off at. It’s the idiocy of people who think they actually have the right to silence messages that contradict their opinions.

So. For awareness’ sake, what speech isn’t protected by the First Amendment? I left my pocket Constitution at work, but I got some help from www.firstamendmentcenter.org. Speech that is not protected includes:

• Obscenity
• Fighting words
• Defamation (includes libel, slander)
• Child pornography
• Perjury
• Blackmail
• Incitement to imminent lawless action
• True threats
• Solicitations to commit crime

Hmmm… I can’t seem to find “Advocacy ads” on that list. Or “Ads that some people may not agree with.” Or “Ads that hurt people’s feelings.” This ad is not threatening, violent, obscene, encouraging crime, or forcing anyone to do or think anything. It’s just an ad that tells a 30-second story. Well, guess these groups will just have to suck it up and change the channel. Boy I feel for them. That’s going to be tough.

What I don’t mind is their offering a simple suggestion to CBS – that they are going to risk dividing their audience on a touchy issue. That’s fine. They have all the freedom in the world to give some advice. In fact, if I worked for CBS I might have even advised against airing it. But nobody… nobody… has the right to pull that ad except CBS or the Focus on the Family organization as it is their business transaction. CBS obviously could use the money, otherwise I doubt they would have chosen to air a controversial advertisement.

To any person who really thinks this ad should be pulled even though it would violate our most important freedom in America, may I suggest that you take a little trip to North Korea? If you really hate freedom of speech, you just might like it there. Hell maybe you’ll even stay there. North Korea ranks zero or near zero on all the usual freedom indices: freedom of public speech, private speech, public religious worship, assembly and association, the press, residency, domestic and foreign travel, political participation, and due process of law. Any person who speaks freely about something that isn’t considered acceptable is at risk for execution or imprisonment. So yeah. That sounds right up your alley. Who knows, maybe you will decide to stay instead of impose totalitarianism on America.

I know that last part was a bit extreme, but I get pissed when assholes try to pull shit like this and think it’s “just”. It is the opposite of just. And it should NOT be tolerated in this country. We are free here. Get used to it assholes.

I’d like to end this entry with this question directed at the groups trying to pull the ad, or anyone who really wants to silence their opponents: How would you react if someone were trying to silence you? Probably let out a rant similar to mine. Just note that anyone who looks to the Constitution for support only when it’s convenient for them is an asshole, and I would happily pay for their one-way ticket to North Korea.

NPR: Anti-Abortion Super Bowl Commercial Causes Storm

First Amendment Center: Speech NOT protected by 1st Amendment

Foreign Policy Research Institute: North Korea: The Nadir of Freedom

Focus on the Family Website