Posted on 06/09/2010 12:51:56 PM PDT by Kaslin
A few months ago, a picture appeared in The Denver Post. On a local college campus -- an alleged stronghold of free inquiry and debate -- a leftist student, protesting some perceived injustice, was holding a sign that argued:
"Hate speech is not free speech!"
Perhaps this earnest 20-something had not fully thought through her illiberal position on "tolerable" political speech. Perhaps she was part of that broader movement that sees "hate" everywhere among its ideological opponents. Either way, it's tragic that so many young people misunderstand the idea of open debate -- or simply devalue liberty.
Some people accept that certain things cannot -- rather than should not -- be said. Beyond the worrisome assaults on free speech (fairness doctrines, higher education, etc.) there is a slipperier concern. Which brings me to Helen Thomas' now infamous and career-ending comment, in which she helpfully suggested that the Jews get "the hell out of Palestine."
True, I find some comfort in knowing that this unprofessional crackpot never will haunt a president, common sense or the public again. But I wince at the rapidity of her demise. And I feel a nagging anxiety about a journalist's losing her job over nothing more than a controversial statement.
"She should lose her job over this," former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said before Thomas gave in to a forced retirement. "As someone who is Jewish and as someone who worked with her and used to like her, I find this appalling."
Cliff May, president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former roving reporter for Hearst (which syndicated Thomas' column), in a letter urged the company "strenuously" to "cut all ties" with Thomas "as quickly as possible."
It seems an odd reaction, especially for conservatives, who are accused regularly of thought crimes and hate speech by outfits like Media Matters, which are in the business of smearing and discrediting those who disagree with them.
But an opinion -- in Thomas' case, an ugly opinion that in all probability is more common than some people might believe -- is no more than the strength of the logic behind it. As a regular defender of the moral right of Israel to fight the theocrats and fascists whom Thomas embraces, I never thought she was very credible or articulate on the topic, and she is unworthy of the over-the-top reactions of critics.
Nevertheless, at this point in her career, the 89-year-old was still a columnist for Hearst newspapers. A columnist offers provocative views. You don't have to like Thomas, and you don't have to read her columns, but having a disdain for Jews in general or Israel in particular is hardly the most offensive thought that's kicking around.
Though I don't hold an earthly stake in debates over God, Bill Maher's ludicrous anti-Catholic rants or a tome from a polemist like Christopher Hitchens (who condemns all religion as a dangerous farce) might be "appalling" to rather large swaths of the public. Are certain topics off the table?
Of course, I am not suggesting that Thomas has a birthright to sit in the front row at a White House news conference (a situation that hasn't made sense for at least three decades) or that anyone has an inalienable right to pontificate about the world for a newspaper chain or anyone else.
And no, I can't mourn the loss of Helen Thomas' detestable opinions. But at the same time, I can't help but feel some trepidation about the ease in which some voices -- in this case, one voice that is probably more honest than others of similar ideological disposition -- can be expelled from the conversation simply for offending.
The author seems to have the same mindset.
True, if anyone cares to listen.
Um, no, Dave. The Shehag didn't lose her job. She resigned her position. Believe me, the Shehag will continue blogging (and being paid for it) long past all our desires that she disappear from the face of the earth never to be heard from again.
This episode should be recognized for what it truly is. An example of someone on the left finally being held accountable for the words that leave their lips. Many a conservative has felt this sting over the past 30 years, while dimocRATS have usually been immune.
From Al Sharpton, to Jesse Jackson, to Al Gore, John Kerry, Howard Dean et al, these people have gotten away with the worse kind of sophistry and crassness for decades. The Shehag earned this reward. It's past time others be held to the same standard.
The author's implied claim that the sacking of Helen Thomas is a violation of "free speech" is no different than liberals who claimed that the Dixie Chicks' free speech was being "violated."
They should fire her back to Germany and Poland.
A post that drips of sarcasm is totally lost on you.
Does the name Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder ring any bells for you?
That's the point that many, left and right, don't get. A guarantee of Free Speech doesn't guarantee freedom from repercussion................
I was just hypothesizing about a probable lawsuit claim.
Or she’ll try the Rather excuse about ageism.
“I was just hypothesizing about a probable lawsuit claim.”
I never thought about that angle. This world has become more twisted than a pretzel.
Helen was free to say what she wanted, and others were free to say what they wanted about what she said. :::shrug:::
I think your employer has the right to fire you if the things you are saying are damaging to their business, and it is not an impingement on free speech. If I work for Chrysler, and I publicly state that Chrysler vehicles are really crappy, and that everyone should buy Ford instead, then I think Chrysler has the right to fire me, regardless whether my statement was true regarding Chrysler vehicles being crappy.
Helen is a big hero to our fellow Americans who want to see Israel disappear.
No, it's the job she performed that did her in. If she were just another lame so-called comic or editorial writer whose job it is to opine, then appalling is allowed. She was called the dean of the White House Press Corps, objectivity, neutrality a must in that position. If she wants to hold whatever opinion she chooses, she keeps it to herself or discusses it privately amongst her fellows (as she apparently did, so many now claiming they knew her beliefs all along), she doesn't spew them in hateful tones the way she did.
Speech may be free, but it does have consequences.
It shouldn’t make anyone nervous to see what happened to Helen. If a Government sanctioned her, then ok,,, nervous. But if a public figure starts up with a bunch of anti-semitic crap, don’t be surprised when her employers don’t want to associate with her, or when others won’t patronize her employer of she stays.
That’s the free market at it’s best. Only a lib wants to say anything they want AND expect the employer to have to continue to employ them.
I don’t understand why she was fired at all. Her views are the same as the dim party from jimma carter on down. Obambi is acting on those views and she gets fired for expressing them?
She did something that her employer didn’t like (or didn’t want anybody to see that they agreed with her). They fired her. It is their right.
She's not being expelled from the conversation. She is free to speak as she sees fit, just as she did before losing her job. It's just that she is no longer going to be provided a soapbox by her employer.
I hope that was quote from Walter E!!! Williams.
If you have ever listened to Dr. Williams, he very FIRMLY and CLEARLY voices that distinction when he gives his name.
He is very careful to distance himself from a Walter Williams, who apparently is a member of the looney left of one stripe or another. Let’s always be clear about which one we are speaking..........or writing.
_______
She had to go because she was ninety ugly years old.
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