Free speech doesn't trump others' rights

I enjoyed Leonard Pitts' article in The News-Gazette about freedom of speech on Jan. 8.

I remind my kids, there is no such thing as freedom of speech in a civil society, without consequences, depending on the situation. For example, you cannot call your teacher a "blank" at Parkland College and then say it's your freedom of speech. Whatever one says has parameters everywhere.

I will never understand how people throw the words "freedom of speech" around as if were a blanket ability to say whatever they want to whomever they want.

I am glad that my rights are not in second place to be called names, as a person walks by my yard and I am outside and they feel like saying something to that effect.

Everywhere one goes school, work, a theater there are rules that keep others safe from the verbal assault of an other.

The actual intention of one's right to verbalize freely was intended to allow people to voice their opinions of mature content against or for their government, religion and the like, without being carted off to jail. It was not intended for idiots to say whatever they want and hide behind the "I can say what I want" card.

I also appreciate Mr. Pitts bringing up the "Duck Dynasty" remarks by Phil Robertson about encouraging men to take a bride of 15 or 16 years of age. Comments like that make me embarrassed to say that I may be in the same racial category as Mr. Robertson, and I can say that.

CYNTHIA HARMON

Champaign

Here is the original post:
Free speech doesn't trump others' rights