Author Archive for Hajile_
05
Dec
09
We real cool
We real cool. We
Lurk late. We
Sing sin. We
Jazz June. We
* Hello, everyone! It’s been awhile, eh? Now, I will not try and fool you, the only reason I’m posting is because I want SOMETHING to be posted in the month of April. It bothers me February is missing from the ‘Posts by Month’ section. So, in this way, I can essentially guarantee a post month. Obviously, I would like to try and aim for goal that is NOT motivated by my neuroses, but what can you do.
Free Speech. It is an important, identifying factor for the leading countries of this world. But, it was not always so. It took a while for this radical idea to catch on. One of the first significant mentions of freedom of expression was way back in 399 BC. While Socrates was on trial, he spoke to the jury declaring, ‘If you offered to let me off this time on condition I am not any longer to speak my mind… I should say to you, “Men of Athens, I shall obey the Gods rather than you.”‘ … Needless to say, he lost his head. After that, there is not much advancement of the idea for quite a while. In 1215 , however, the topic was once again brought up. This time it was brought up in the form of the Magna Carta. The barons of England determined that good ol’ King John was taking too many liberties, so they twisted his arm into signing the land breaking charter. While the Magna Carta did not specifically target freedom of expression, it was cornerstone of the quickly developing idea of individual liberty. The concept of free speech was again brought to the fore-front in 1633 by Galileo Galilei, who was brought to the Inquisition under charges of heresy, for claiming that the sun did not in fact revolve around the earth. The first notable legislation that protects the right of free speech happened in 1689, when English Bill of Rights grants freedom of speech, in parliament. And then of course, in 1789, the First Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights was adopted. Soon after this time period, the freedom of expression was seen as a basic right, that any and all free states had to adhere to. It was one of the leading ideas that led to the current free world.
This concept was a very popular one for much of the 20th century. It led to an era of understanding, and tolerance. Even now, when people hear of the harsh prosecution of religious objectors in the middle east, they are disgusted. But yet, nearly the same thing is happening now in the West. Prosecution of religious protesters are hidden under the guise of “hate-crime” laws. Citizens are now being punished for “offending religion”. Last year, Dutch authorities arrested a controversial cartoonist, Gregorius Nekschot, for insulting Muslims and Christians by depicting fundamentalists as “zombies”. June, 2008, French Actress Brigitte Bardot was convicted for “inciting religious hatred”, merely by claiming that Muslims were destroying the French state. Italian prosecutors are in the process of investigating a popular comedian, for making joke about the Pope’s opinion of homosexuality. Hate-crime seems to be a popular one, these days, eh?
Just last month, Britain prevented Dutch politician Geert Wilders, anti-Islam advocate, from entering the country because the did not wish to “threaten community harmony” in the United Kingdom. While he is in fact an anti-Muslim fanatic, having called for a ban on the Koran, what does this incident tell you? ESPECIALLY, considering only a few years earlier, they welcomed the visit of French leader, Jean-Marie Le Pen, who is a vehement anti-Semitic and Nazi-sympathizer. During his celebrated visit, this Jewish hate-crime convict, who refers to the holocaust as a “detail of history”, was provided an enormous police protection force for the duration of his stay.
So, what, an anti-Semitic with a record of hate-crimes can take a vacation to the UK, but an Islam detractor cannot even get into the country? What is this?
The situation is a clear. The political climate of Europe is changing. No longer is Europe defending freedom of expression. The world view is moving towards one of suppression of controversial opinions. After all, why deal with people of opposing views when we can just silence the issue? It’s a lot less hassle that way. No one will even notice.
The equality that has been bestowed on us by freedom of speech is in the process of being repositioned. A scale can still appear balanced, even if the fulcrum has been moved. Relativity is a scary thing, folks.
Elijah Coryell
References: When the ‘Free World’ bars free speech – Jonathan Turley, The Washington Post
* And that is that for my first substantial post. Before leaving, why don’t you shoot me a comment? I will do my best to respond in a timely manner.
09
Mar
09
Why A Blog?
Why a blog? Why would I want to spend the time keeping a blog running? The frustration of brainstorming topic ideas? The irritation of accepting/rejecting comments?
My reasons are pretty simple.
One, because it gives me something to do. It’s an activity that doesn’t feel totally wasteful or useless. I actually feel like I’m accomplishing something.
Two, because I like expressing my opinion. It is actually harder than it seems, sometimes. Instead of waiting for a particular topic to come around in a conversation, I can direct people to my blog instead. Before, my opinion was confined to my friends and family. But now, I am on the internet! Anyone in the world has the chance of discovering my opinion.
Three, it gives me credibility. My opinion now seems like it matters. Even in everyday situations, it provides artificial backing to my opinion. “Oh look! That guy has a blog.” “Gee, he must be informed.” It’s all about appearances.
Four. Everyone else is doing it.
There we are. A finished post. That wasn’t so painful, was it?
12
Jan
09
First Blog Post
Oh goody! My first blog post!
I have some more things to take care of, before I start submitting regular blog updates… Until then.
