While patriotism has found a new resurgence over the past few weeks, much of it is inherently un-American. Since the attack on America, U.S. citizens have attempted to be patriotic, waving flags and wearing red, white and blue. But in reality, the ideals at the core of American values are fading behind the guise of national unity. The United States relies on the popular, but not always accepted, right to free speech. In our patriotic zeal, many have hypocritically denounced the opinions of those criticizing President Bush and his administration, saying that we cannot succeed putting forth a divided front. However, in times like these, protecting free speech is more important than ever. It's too easy to give the government too much power and lose a central American value.
A journalist in Texas lost his job for writing an opinion column attacking the president. Tom Gutting, city editor and columnist for the Texas City Sun, lost his job after criticizing President Bush for heading to Nebraska during the attacks. Gutting wrote that the president '[flew] around the country like a scared child, seeking refuge in his mother's bed after having a nightmare.' Regardless of the validity of the argument (the president was protecting his office and most likely had little choice in the matter anyway), Gutting had the right to express his opinion. Presumably he was hired to do just that'but apparently he had the 'wrong' opinion by Texas standards.
In another well-known instance, Bill Maher was attacked by the Bush administration for statements made on his controversial late show, 'Politically Incorrect.' Maher said the United States acted cowardly by launching missiles at the enemy from far away, while the terrorists were not because they personally attacked us. What Maher meant was that the United States should have taken the risk to get closer to the enemy to more accurately attack. In the past, soldiers were not allowed to fly sufficiently close to the ground to bomb the enemy, and therefore many innocent civilians died. Maher was saying that saving those lives was worth the increased risk to American soldiers.
Ari Fleischer, the White House press secretary, denounced Maher, who later apologized for insulting people when he unclearly stated his belief. Though Maher did not originally state his point well, he should not have had to apologize for his words'even inartful speech is protected.
The terrorists attacked the United States because they hated Americans and what we stand for. But in our response to the attacks, we have begun to lose just that, thus giving in to the terrorists.
Our response to these attacks needs to include much more than it has. Though the blood drives, celebrity fund-raising campaigns and volunteer efforts are commendable, they are not enough. We need to continue valuing the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights while also fully recognizing what they stand for. 'Business as usual' involves more than heading back to work'it encompasses continuing to hold our ideals high. Free speech should be censored no more now than it was before Sept. 11. Americans need to embrace free speech and show the terrorists we are not weak.
This is a time for the nation to unite to ensure our country's enemies pay for what they have done. But this unity cannot come at the immeasurable cost of freedom of speech.
Principles such as the freedom of speech are only important when under attack'they mean nothing otherwise. When we censor the speech of those who contradict us, we invalidate everything we stand for.
As Austrian physicist Alfred Adler said, 'It is always easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them.'
