Conservative Student News

Freedom of speech is a beautiful thing! It may lead to outbursts and fraudulent abuses of courtesy at times, but all in all, everyone benefits from living in a country where one can actually speak one's mind and hear others do so as well.

Although, I disagree with almost everything that comes out of Rosie O'Donnell's mouth, and I understand that people get tired of listening to someone full of hatred who speaks their mind while continually overpowering the voices of the others on The View, I enjoy, yes-enjoy-hearing Rosie speak her mind. I also enjoy knowing that the rest of America can hear Rosie too.

So what if she is wrong? Sure, no one can deny she was a whole lot nicer before she came out of the closet and if she presented her ideas with a little less angst and hatred we would all be less concerned about her having a stroke or simply disgracing the face of the American people. The fact is, in a democratic society, where the First Amendment to our Constitution grants the freedom of speech, the people should be able to voice their opinions and to disagree with each other.

How would we ever know that America was responsible for the death of its own people on 9/11, if it were not for freedom of speech? Really, Rosie has much to enlighten us all on and we should be able to hear it just as much as she should be able to say it.

In all seriousness, without freedom of speech, Americans would be stifled-it would be like taking the capitalism part out of our economic system and expecting socialism to replace it. Yes, basically, America would loose a lot of wealth-not fiscally-but intellectually.

There is of course a difference between speaking to represent oneself and speaking to represent a whole group of individuals. When comparing politicians in this country to the common man, a key difference is the fact that they not only represent themselves and their political party, but are elected to represent the country as a whole.

Even people like Jesse Jackson, should have more propriety and self-awareness of their actions and words than folks like Don Imus. Jackson, in many ways, represents the African American populace. He should do justice to those he is trying to represent or at least speak in such a way that defines him as a leader. I am not saying such social figures and political figures of leadership are not entitled to freedom of speech. I'm simply stating that they have a duty to lead and therefore exercise this right so as to inspire, guide, and direct others towards a common good-rather than abuse it for selfish motives.

When you have individuals like Don Imus, Ann Coulter, Star Parker, or Michael Moore, the situation changes. No longer are you dealing with someone running for office or some other social leader, who for the sake of his or her job, ought to deliver their thoughts with certain intelligence as to earn the respect they need to maintain their position.

Of course, it would be in the best interest of all if everyone were speak more responsibly and intellectually. However, to create a society that thrives due to the First Amendment, rather than throws away the good it allows for, one must start with the example of our elected leaders.

Leaders ought to lead this country-not bring it down. Of course, politicians are merely human-but then you would hope that they are humans with the capacity to lead others, since that is the career and path of life they have chosen.

Leaders cannot, for a minute, follow. They need to set down their ideas for a country: Their hopes and dreams. They must show that they are willing to fight for the goals they set because they truly believe in them and the good they will do for the American people.

There are very few politicians today who will come out and say how they stand on issues like gay marriage and abortion. Issues like these that define who the human person is-how we view life, sexuality, procreation, and relationships cannot be disregarded. There are cowards on the left and the right. Or as Bernard Goldberg puts it in the title of his new book: "Crazies to the Left of Me, Wimps to the Right: How One Side Lost Its Mind and the Other Lost Its Nerve."

Hopefully, in our search for the next leader of this country-debates among and between the right and left will reveal a true leader who knows how to exercise his or her right to the First Amendment.

I think that we, the people of this country, have a duty to expect more out of our leaders: To demand more. We should respect our leaders, certainly for the position they hold, however we need not to respect every decision they make. We should look for leaders who offer true solutions for the good of this nation. This is America-we don't need to go back to the Mason-Dixon Line mind set: We need to be a strong united force, open to debate-to discuss ideas and be willing to give our own, rather than fight against each other as if we were still in the Civil War. No longer can we turn to the past to point fingers and blame others for where we are today.

We need people who represent conservative and liberal ideas-and are not out to fulfill some personal or short-sighted agenda. Right now this country needs a strong leader-someone who will speak their mind, stand up for what it is they represent, and hold to the principles that define America, the beautiful.

In short, politicians need to uphold the First Amendment. First they ought to secure it as a right for the people and lead the people to debate issues so as to come up with solutions in the interest of America.

We should allow for this conveying of diverse ideas-not in the interest of Israel, George Bush, or Al Gore, but in the interest and for the good of the American people. The purpose is to secure a thriving culture of ideas that may not coincide, yet the intentions and end goal of all should be, as intended by the creation of this Amendment, for the securing of a strong and lasting future for America, where the people are free.