The firestorm
Fri Sep 10, 2010 19:13 (UTC -5)Even though the Alligator has already published one of my letters to the editor this week, I felt compelled to write another one. As you’ve probably heard, the pastor of a small church here in Gainesville has been planning to burn the Koran on September 11. He’s been waffling a lot in the past day or so, so no one knows what will actually happen, but on Wednesday I sent in the following. They haven’t printed it, so they probably won’t now.
The Dove World Outreach Center has drawn an enormous amount of criticism from around the world for its plan to burn copies of the Koran on Sept. 11. I encourage everyone who has taken part in this debate to remember that at the heart of the controversy lies the freedom that we as Americans hold dearest: freedom of speech.
Speech is the only noble weapon in a democratic society, and it is one that all citizens have the right and responsibility to use. That’s why I applaud the groups in our community that are organizing peaceful protests instead of calling for violence. Though we may not agree with the message that Pastor Terry Jones is sending, we must acknowledge that freedom of speech necessarily extends to all opinions, even the most unpopular ones.
There’s going to be heightened security at tomorrow’s football game, but nothing is expected to happen there. I’m not worried for my safety; I’m just looking forward to having a good time at the game.
Till then, enjoy reading about the prop newspaper that appears everywhere in movies and TV shows. (Via waxy.org)
8 comments
#1 by Joshua McGee: Fri Sep 10, 2010 19:25 (UTC -5)
the groups in our community that are organizing peaceful protests instead of calling for violence
To clarify: there are people in Gainesville both planning organized protests against Mr. Jones and calling for violence against him?
#2 by Jordon Kalilich: Fri Sep 10, 2010 19:29 (UTC -5)
Not that I know of. It was supposed to be an oblique reference to the people in Afghanistan and elsewhere who have been burning effigies of the guy. He says he’s received hundreds of death threats.
#3 by Joshua McGee: Fri Sep 10, 2010 19:38 (UTC -5)
Not that I know of.
I see. That much is, I guess, reassuring. The whole thing is … well, the whole thing is a whole thing, isn’t it? I’ve started writing/talking about it in numerous venues to numerous people. And I think the whole thing has some haunting parallels with reactions to 9/11 itself, when people of all stripes took the event as justification for promoting their own opinions, takes, beliefs, egos, &c. on a comically-wide range of topics.
In my never-to-be-humble opinion, almost everyone I’ve read talking about this is missing a different piece of this whole thing. Some are such obvious FAILs that I wonder if they’ve stopped to think at all.
I’m … well, I’m not going to hijack your comments thread to do it in. But: {sigh}.
#4 by Jordon Kalilich: Fri Sep 10, 2010 19:56 (UTC -5)
Have you thought about covering the topic in your blog? I’d be interested in reading what you have to say in more detail.
#5 by Joshua McGee: Fri Sep 10, 2010 20:37 (UTC -5)
Thanks for the prod. I should. I made a slight attempt on FB, and that kinda went nowhere quickly.
I have a fair backlog of stuff to write on my blog, plus a whole sub-area of my site to design, a couple story ideas, a couple chapters sketched out for my novel, two web apps to write, a roughly-conceived humor site, and a contract project to finish writing for someone. The big stumbling block? Getting some prescriptions filled that I’m currently out of. Wish me luck.
#6 by Jordon Kalilich: Fri Sep 10, 2010 20:39 (UTC -5)
Good luck.
#7 by Wendy: Fri Sep 10, 2010 20:41 (UTC -5)
This goes beyond free speech, I believe. This is akin to shouting fire in a crowded theatre, causing panic and fear and retribution. I also think this man is nuts and shame on the media for giving him so much attention.
I hope you and your fellow Gainesvillains (lol) remain safe.
#8 by Joshua McGee: Fri Sep 10, 2010 21:06 (UTC -5)
@Wendy: Nah, it’s well within free speech, and here’s why: Imagine what we’d be giving away if we delegated to someone the right to dictate what each of us should say based on this person’s estimation of how various possible responses might negatively affect our safety.
“No, don’t say/do/think that! They might get angry! There might be fear and panic!” Because the next sentence? Is always “… so shut up and just obey.”
I’m with my homeboy Ben Franklin on this one: “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”