English 1103: Section 090…What’s next??
Thanks to everyone for another really good class this week…our discussion went well…I’m so impressed that so many of you have so much to say about these issues…
Moving forward…please complete the following by 11/15…read chapter 15 of Rottenberg/Winchell (take notes and be prepared to discuss the chapter during next week’s class) Complete 1 of the Thinking and Writing activities (1-8) on pp. 597-598 in your Daybook for next week’s discussion. Post comments or questions about chapter 15 to the blog…this will help all of us see what we’re bringing to the discussion on 11/15/06. Also, please bring something to workshop for next week’s class. Below you’ll find the notes related to what’s expected for Folder 1 of your portfolio. If anyone has any questions about any of this…blog me or email me!!
November 11th, 2006 at 1:20 am
Well, chapter 15 was pretty interesting, to say the least. A lot of the situations that were described in the stories I would have never seen as a problem to begin with, for example in the story “Student Sues School District for Banning Anti-War T-Shirt.” I don’t see why the shirt became a problem because the student was clearly just voicing his freedom of speech through his clothing. I found this story especially ridiculous because it was stated that “there was no evidence the T-shirt caused any disruption at school.” It was simply a case of a school official not agreeing with the message that led to the student getting into trouble.
I also read on page 589 about the FCC. I believe that this organization definitely goes against Americans right to freedom of speech. I found a very interesting paragraph on pg 589 that said, “In this headlong rush to expand the government’s authority over the media, no one has paused to consider whether the government should have such authority in the first place. No one has noticed that the very existence of the FCC is a flagrant violation of the right to free speech.”
I couldnt agree with this statement more. People are getting so caught up into specific regulations and policies of organizations such as the FCC, that they have become completely oblivious to the fact that the COMPLETE organization goes against our promise of freedom of speech.
November 13th, 2006 at 6:55 pm
I wanted to comment on a quote at the end of the “Why We Need to abolish the FCC”
essay. It states “yet in the name… we are well on the way to surrendering that
crucial right to the control of the omnipotent state” on page 590. I agree with
this. As people are increasingly angered by hearing or seeing things they dont
want and are complaining and taking others to court, they are showing how they
want to government to increase their control on America’s freedom of speech. Since
it is impossible to make everyone happy at the same time, there will always be
complaints and the government will continuously set rules. Eventually there will be
no freedom of speech.
November 13th, 2006 at 10:40 pm
As I was reading the differnt essays in chapter 15, I would read a couple sentences and then see whether or not I agreed or disagreed with what was being said. The one essay that really got my attention was entitled “Student Sues School District for BanningAnti-War T-shirt.” I was apalled after I read this, whatever happened to freedom of expression? If really got down to it, anyone copuld say they were “offended” by a topic on someones’ shirt. This could be anything from a particular band, to a political party, to a phrase…it’s a a fashion trend not a new way to direct to government. As long as the shirt doesn’t have something completely obscene or vulgar on it I really don’t see what the big deal is. People should be able to express themselves through their fashion- hence personal style.
November 14th, 2006 at 12:07 am
when is the first porfolio due?
November 14th, 2006 at 4:13 pm
I loved this chapter, again these are deep and hard issues that have no clear black and white answers. I really like the essay “Why We Need to Abolish the FCC,” it is interesting that the FCC seems to go against one of the reasons the U.S. was founded on and one of the central premises of the Constitution, the right of free speech. There should be nothing adbridging the “free” market of ideas and speech. Who are they to say what is indecent or not fir for the ears of the American people, I think that should be up to me dang it, not some rich polition that knows nothing about me or the world that I live in. It is getting to the point that it is kind of Big Brotherish. What is wrong with people saying urinate, damn, or orgy; there are far more worse things that they could have used and should have the right to use. We had this policy at my old high school when I was a freshman, that if something somebody wore or said was offensive then it was against the rules. We attacked that right away saying that “well you “offend” me, so you should be punished” That ended very quickly. If it “offends” you deal with and get over it, don’t try to make so that nothing will offend anybody. That is unrealistic and stupid. Life isn’t perfect.
November 14th, 2006 at 7:45 pm
Well ladies…I must say…I’m very impressed with the comments to this chapter…the thing that stands out is how each of you…one way or another…referenced the text with a quote or a phrase that stood out…along with your thoughts on the subject…seems to me that we’re in agreement…limits on Freedom of Speech are NEVER justified…long live our right to say what we want!!!
November 14th, 2006 at 9:38 pm
The story about the case Bethel School District v. Fraser seemed all to familiar to me. I went to a relatively small high school where nearly everything was censored. If a student wanted to make any kind of announcement at an assembly, they were required to hand in an outline of what they wanted to say and get it approved. Anyone who dared to speak out against the school or say something controversial got punished. This policy only made students want to rebel more!! It was ridiculous. No one should be able to keep us from speaking our minds. Speach is our method of communication. Our voices need to be heard.
November 14th, 2006 at 11:44 pm
This chapter raised some good questions about the freedom of speech. Should there be any
restrictions on what people should say? The essay about Bethel School District No. 403 vs. Fraser
made me so mad, that some one would be so immature to abuse the freedom of speech. I I don’t think
there should be any restrictions, though. I think that people should grow up. In a perfect
world they would, but we don’t live in a perfect world. But if we put limits on the
freedom of speech, I think it would get out of hand and eventually we would become like all
the other oppressed countries in the world.
November 15th, 2006 at 2:17 am
I remember reading about many of these cases in school. I have always thought that it was not fair that most teenagers do not have freedom of speech in a school. I do not know shirts can be distracting to learning. When you are in class, all you can see the back of someone’s shirt anyways. I do not think having dress codes really help learning at all but I can understand why some schools do it. If there was a problem with different groups of kids fighting or discriminating based on looks but for most schools it is just another way to control the kids in it. I think freedom of speech should apply to everyone no matter what age they are.
November 15th, 2006 at 10:37 am
wow, this chapter was very interesting. I agree with what everyone is saying and I feel that freedom of speech is very important to us as Americans. But right along with that freedom comes the freedom to choose what you listen to…if someone says something you disagree with, you don’t have to get all offended by it, you can simply keep your opinions, share them if you want, but in no way are you required to listen and agree! And actually, if we lose our freedom of speech, it will deteriorate our other freedoms (freedom of religion, etc). THey are all linked, so it is very important to preserve them.
November 15th, 2006 at 1:23 pm
Alright…I just wanted to comment on the Anti-War T-shirt essay. I think this whole thing is crazy! I definitely believe there are times in which freedom of speech should be limited and is justified, but certainly not in this instance. As far as I’m concerned, the only shirts that should be banned from schools are ones which promote alcohol, drugs, vulgar language, or violent images. Anti-war?? There’s nothing wrong with that. Hypothetically, what if the student lost a member of their family in the war and is now not in support of it? I bet the school system didn’t think of that one. But, as I mentioned above, I do believe there are instances in which the limitation of freedom of speech is justified. I’m not sure how many of you have heard of it, but there is a new movie coming out called “Death of a President”….it depicts the possible assassination of President Bush in 2007. Now what kind of country have we come to? I don’t know about you, but if I was running the country, that kind of crap would never fly in my book! And as Laura, Erica, and I were discussing earlier, we brought up some of the books that are being published these days…you know, like “How to build a bomb” and “How to commit the perfect murder.” Now somebody please tell me why? Are we not promoting the disturbing behavior buy allowing these books to sit on our bookshelves?
November 15th, 2006 at 2:59 pm
ok I’ve read chapter 15 and I’m angry. I see more and more things
that go against our constitution as we go along. Freedom of speech
and expression are things that our great nation has been looked upon
by other countries. I can honestly say I’m disgusted. I really am.
I’ve always hated the FCC. They censor everything! This is going to
sound weird, but I’m glad for HBO and other program channels that
you are allowed to “buy”. And I know that these tv channels are
more about entertainment than they are for freedom of speech and
expression, but you can tell where I’m headed here.
November 15th, 2006 at 3:10 pm
I liked this chapter a lot. Before reading, I answered all the blue box questions, and found that it helped quite a bit. When it discussed some of the clothing issues, I honestly didn’t see a big deal in a lot of it. At my old high school, there were so many regulations! You couldn’t wear anything with any profanity, an alcoholic beverage, drugs or cigarettes, any “obscene images,” anything dealing with the confederacy, and oftentimes male African Americans weren’t allowed to wear a particular color because school officials thought it might be gang related. If the outfit is disruptive during school, then I understand. If someone shows up wearing the color red, then I don’t think it should automatically be assumed he’s part of a gang.
November 15th, 2006 at 3:23 pm
WOW! After reading chapter 15, I’m not sure where to begin. Like most of you, I was completely shocked as I read “Student Sues School District for Banning Anti-War T-Shirt.” The entire incident should have never occurred because it was obvious that the young man was only trying to express his opinion which is clearly protected by the First Amendment. I mean honestly, when and who decided that we, as American citizens, were unable to have opinions about MAJOR ISSUES that OUR country is facing? As I read this article, I constantly thought about the Dixie Chicks’ incident with President Bush a couple of years ago. Country music radio stations shunned their music from being played because of their lead singer’s controversial statement regarding our president and the war. I want to leave you with the extremely powerful last statement in “Dare Call it Treason,” “George W. Bush has claimed that America’s enemies wish to destroy our freedoms. If we surrender if we surrender freedom of speech in the hope that this will bring swifter victory on current and future battlefields, who then will have won the war?”
November 15th, 2006 at 3:48 pm
I really liked this chapter. I am really for free speech and hate when people get in trouble for speaking out and saying or wearing what they think is right. Wearing confederate flags to school should not be banned because that is just southern heritage, just like the american flag is american heritage. I have got in trouble for wearing a rebel flag to school and so have soo many of my fellow classmates. All it is is a damn flag. And when they said “telemarketers have rights too,”that is so true, because all we have to do when they call is hang up on them but they shouldnt get in trouble for calling. People should be able to speak out about what they think and how they feel without being reprimanded for it.
November 15th, 2006 at 4:22 pm
hey everyone,
There was a lot in chapter 15. I basically feel that the First Amendment should clarify any objections that people may have to restrictions on speech. I have personal opinions of the essay Dare to Call It Treason. I think that if a person cannot differentiate between the opinions of our enemies and citizens of our own country it is unpatriotic and disloyal. But, it is unconstitutional to rstrict a person’s speech because the majority or government does not agree with those opinions. I also think that it can be unfair in cases of slander or libel. Should the first amendment right still be extended when the lies created by the tabloids literally cause emotional, or even physical harm to its victims? Should there be a cut-off when we are contantly reminded that our words are powerful and can destroy? I suppose the answer is still no, because we are protected in ‘every’ aspect of speech…I suppose the first amendment is controversial because of that, but it’s necessary…I thought the chapter was good…and the essays made good cases…the cartoon on page 593 was hilarious too…it calls out our own stupidity lol
November 15th, 2006 at 4:40 pm
Ladies and Jesse…you continue to impress…these entries are full of passion and interest in the freedom of speech…I can’t wait to discuss the chapter in person…I hope you all bring these words to life in our little classroom…I certainly hear you all LOUD AND CLEAR here!!!
Jason…Brandon…Zach…Jason…where are you?? We need to hear from you as well?? Are you excersing your freedom of speech by not speaking??
November 15th, 2006 at 4:51 pm
This is a great topic to think about. I believe that freedom of speech is our right as Americans and should not be taken away from us for any reasons. I am shocked at all the things that happen around our nation that violate our constitutional rights. I am very glad however that we do live in a place that is as free as we are. We could have it much worse. I also loved what Katie said about “Dare call it Treason.”
If our Freedom of Speech is taken away then we are doing to ourselves what President Bush say’s the our enemies are trying to do.
November 15th, 2006 at 5:14 pm
I completely understand what the “T-shirt kid” went through. My highschool persecuted you on the spot for such things..I accredited it to us being a very small, very religious private school but apparently this goes beyond my sterotype. Offensive at my school meant no bands, no anime, no words/phrases, no nothing and NO EXCEPTIONS! it was a little ridiculous. I was sent to I.S.S one day simply because my shirt was a band shirt….even though this happened I’m not totally unreasonable. I can see how the school could take oh say ozzy or manson to be offisive…but Taking Back Sunday or Jack Johnson? please… I even thought I could trick them with the first one because sunday was in the title. but no. And honestly no thought was put behind wearing either of these shirts except that they were clean and i liked them. I was subconiously expressing the fact that i do like their music but still. I do think that people confuse dislike and offensive. They can dislike my music thats fine but “constellations” by jack johnson (he sings about his dad making up stories about the patterns the stars made and how he likes the stars) can not possibly be offending anyone and if it is then clearly it is the subject matter…in this case the stars. So hey to get some resolution lets get rid of the stars eh? that would be sensible right. Clearly I stand with my classmates. People can be so difficult.
November 15th, 2006 at 5:44 pm
I too have started reading and answering the little blue boxes and it is pretty interesting to think about the certain things before reading, kind of warm up your brain I guess. I personnaly think that it is different when comparing free speech in college than to when in high school or elementary school. I thnk to some point there has to be boundaries, because if we lived in a perfect world we wouldn’t need boundaries and we would all know to respect other people and their rights. I think that once it gets to the point where people are disregarding other peoples’ rights or harming anybody else that is when it needs to stop. If I had children they wouldn’t own shirts that said F*** America on it but that doesn’t mean that all other parents care too, so some other child might where a F America shirt to middle school and I personally would be outraged. Until children become 18 it is then when they are no longer children but adults so at that point they can make decisions between wrong and right BUT until then they must be guided, and some regulations that schools have are for the protection of EVERYONE, not to piss anyone off. IIf you are willing to accept the consequences that so be it, but if not don’t do it.
pg 585… “Even the most political discourse in a democratic society requires consideration for the personal sensibilities of the other participants and audiences”
Like in our last discussion though… everyone has different values. What may be right to me may be totally and completely wrong to you.
November 15th, 2006 at 5:57 pm
all of my life, I’ve been a big fan of free speech. I’m not sayin that I want to “abolish the FCC” or anything, but I have always believed taht you should say whats on your mind and not have to get in trouble for it. Of course, if whats on your mind is rather…well…violent or vulgar, then by all means, go for it. However, The FCC does its job by “filtering” (the best it can) out all of the “impurities” of society. I can understand why some people would want to abolish the FCC, but if I were a parent with a 5 year old kid that figures out what curse words are from unedited television, I’d be rather upset.
Of course, censorship is a big issue, and if you like to hear all the vulgarity of “real” tv, then thats why we have services such as sattelite tv which comes exactly as its shown.
All in all, the FCC isnt bad. THey’re just “protecting” the young of socitey from the real world.