Our First Amendment Rights

Our right to Freedom of Speech is something that I think we as Americans take for granted. Because we have been brought up with the understanding that we are allowed to speak our minds and if there is something that we want to protest that we can do so I think this right is usually overlooked. If you think about it, it’s quite an amazing thing to be able to criticize our government and not be afraid of being persecuted for doing so. Of course everything has exceptions. One cannot speak in a threatening manner towards another person, threatening to kill them or do anyone bodily harm. It also restricts obscenity and pornography from the general public. Something very interesting that I learned while looking up the first Amendment and what it justifies was that when distributing a pamphlet to the general public it’s a federal case to have the pamphlet be anonymous and to distribute it. The spreading of slander or lies about a person, place, or establishment is also prohibited in the First Amendment. I guess our freedom of speech isn’t completely free, but it’s still a lot better than what some countries have to live under.

Looking at an article on BBC.com dealing with the Olympics in Bejing this past summer was very interesting and dealt with the issue of freedom of speech. Hong Kong officials were supposed to ensure China had a seamless and very smooth opening-ceremony, while also allowing their people to speak their minds about things. However, when it came to protesting particular areas of the Chinese way of life, the Hong Kong officials were caught in a Catch-22, “they were required to allow for protests, yet were also under a heavy obligation to Beijing to ensure a smooth event” (“Asia”). This freedom of assembly and freedom to speak what is on their minds seems like a fundamental ‘no-brainer’ for us in the states. We have to remember though that we are very fortunate to be allowed this right to speak our minds. The Chinese government pretty much doesn’t allow Chinese citizens to get away with anything that goes against the government. If there were to be some demonstrations against the government, you could bet that they would be stopped quickly after they began. And the same was true for this particular situation. The protest was stopped and event went relatively smoothly after the officials detained a few people during the opening ceremonies and other public events. Is this right? To infringe on people’s rights just to uphold a better public image? I guess the argument could go both ways.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7378193.stm