Free Speech : To Have and Have Not

Free speech is the simplest, yet most complex you will come across in your life. Journalists of today have come head to head with free speech. Especially the more out spoken writers on the left and right side of the political spectrum get their fair share of whipping from their counterparts.  

Last week a student newspaper at Colorado State University that headlined their editorial page “Taser this … F—k Bush.” The uncensored headline was in response to the freedom speech issues that were raised last week when a University of Florida student was tasered by police after trying to ask Senator John Kerry a question during his speech. Since the editorial’s release The Rocky Mountain Collegian publication has lost many of its advertising customers, forcing the newspaper to cut back on salaries and has ultimately put the Editor in Chief’s job on the line.  

How is it that free speech can cost so much? Maybe this is an idealistic take on what the 1st Amendment stands for, but having an opinion that does not literally read -- “lets go out and burn down the White House” – doesn’t explain why the headline is making so many people mad. I see “F—K Bush” every other day, tagged on buildings, walls, and bathroom stalls.  

The fact that this is a school publication and the circulation is probably concentrated mostly to the Colorado area does not mean “F—K Bush” will insight a riot on the White House lawn. This one incident is a thump nail on a wall of journalists who have spoken out against the Bush Administration and have taken an opposite stance in comparison to their right leaning counterparts.  

Sadly, The Rocky Mountain Collegian may end up getting their wish with their “Taser this…” headline – their choice to speak out on the matter may be the beginning of their end. Not to mention a reminder that Free Speech costs $1.50, a bag of chips, and your soul. -- Eming Piansay