It's time for Pres. Obama to defend free speech

[Bragi]

An American is now hiding because she exercised her right to free speech, and some radical Muslims took offense and issued death threats against her.

See http://news.google.ca/news/more?pz=1&cf=all&cf=all&ncl=dKOSgXisMBg6lOMqHtHw0CNhhQpoM

This being the case, I think it's time for President Obama to add to his message of last week on "religious tolerance" and to speak out on the vital importance of freedom of speech to all Americans.

He needs to make it clear that, under the First Amendment, Americans have a right to legally express any opinions they wish without being targeted for death by people who disagree with them, or who are offended by what they say.

And he needs to make it absolutely clear that the U.S will never limit the First Amendment to exempt any particular religious group from criticism, and will instead go after any hate group who threatens violence against anyone for lawfully exercising their right to free speech.

We need to hear from President Obama now in defense of freedom of speech for Americans.

[vi5]

1. Probably because....

...my guess is that the death threats and such are not coming from American muslims as much as maybe a more overseas muslim community. They really probably don't care much either what our president thinks or about things like Freedom of Speech.

[Bragi]

2. He needs to inform foreigners and galvanize Americans on this

I agree many Muslims abroad don't understand what freedom of speech entails. This was clear during the recent Koran burning crisis, when many prominent Muslims abroad, even heads of moderate Muslim states, publicly called on the US authorities to stop any insult to the Koran. They also stated that any insult that did occur would be the responsibility of the authorities because they chose not to intervene.

So I agree with you that many Muslims abroad neither understand or support the whole idea of freedom of speech as it relates to religion, because in countries governed by Sharia law, it is a crime to criticize Islam or desecrate its symbols.

That's why we need the President to correct this mistaken impression, and to make a strong statement pointing out that freedom of speech is an core American value that will not change, and will not be limited so as to prevent criticism or insult to any specific religion.

He should also make it clear that the U.S a) will protect anyone who is subjected to a fatwa because they lawfully exercised their right to free speech, and b) go after any group that threatens to harm an American because their lawfully exercised their right to free speech.

[sinkingfeeling]

3. Guess you've never written a LTTE about something like abortion.

Do you have any idea how many threats are made every day in this country because someone speaks out? Speak out and say you support safe and legal abortion and you may, like me, receive ugly threatening phone calls. Speak out for 'illegals' and see what happens. Speak up for our gay communities.

Violence is threatened every day and very few are ever prosecuted for it.

[Bragi]

4. He needs to defend free speech in general

You're statement simply underscores the need for the President to speak out on free speech.

That would include the right to express opinions on abortion or any other subject without fear of being targeted for harm.

[RZM]

5. Agreed!

That would be a great thing. I even wonder if some in the Obama team are advocating just this. It wouldn't have any effect on this situation or foreign opinion at all (actually it might lead some to repeat the classic criticism that Americans are always telling the rest of the world how they should be living), but for an American president, it's the right thing to do. Domestically, it could only help him. Free speech is such a core value, shared by so many across the spectrum, that nobody could ever spin it against him (I doubt they'd even try, there's no way it could be done). In fact, it could be spun to his advantage -- next time you heard somebody blathering about how Obama doesn't like America and doesn't share traditional/core values, etc., you could just point to this, where he took a stand when he didn't necessarily have to on a core American principle. Wouldn't change their mind, but it would force them to concede the point.

[Bragi]

7. I also think it would likely be good politics

Most important for me, it would be the right thing for the POTUS to do in the current situation.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

6. ...and if he doesn't, that PROVES he's a SECRET MUSLIN FROM ALQAIDA!!!11(biblepi/3)11!!