Understanding “Free Speach” Rights

WARNING: THIS IS A RANT! If you don’t like strong opinions — stop reading now!

Oh how bold we are when safely hiding behind these screens! How accusatory, how rude, how darned arrogant and belligerent some can be! They don’t post their commentary on my Blog or Etiquette Forums. Instead they e-mail me privately with their slurs and innuendo.

In the last two weeks almost on a daily basis I have received accusatory, inflammatory and insulting e-mails from those who don’t like something I said — they don’t know me and assume what I meant. Rather than share why they disagree with what was supposedly said, they threaten and name-call. These e-mails make it clear I still have my work cut out for me (read my tag-line at the top of this page).

When folks approach me in this manner, I know I hit a nerve by somehow making them feel bad about something they did incorrectly. My intent is not to make someone feel bad; but to inform. Rather than be smart and understand that we all have things to learn (as long as we’re alive BTW) they jump to e-mail me verbiage I know they wouldn’t dare say to my face.

You can go through any of my sites and not find anything insulting, nothing not based in experience and not one single word that is personally targeted at any individual. But when corrected, the “I have the right to free speach” (Yes, they don’t even spell speech correctly!) claim is spewed without even understanding it’s meaning as though that is an excuse to do what one wants without consideration.

So, let’s get that straight shall we? Thanks to our government schools, I am in the position each week of explaining to these uninformed e-mailers what the right of free speech as offered by our Constitution really entails.

I’ll make it simple… What the Constitution says folks is that the GOVERNMENT cannot interfere with your free speech. It doesn’t mean you can e-mail anyone anything you like and not expect there to be consequences.

Forward your friends political commentary they don’t appreciate and you’ll lose those friends. E-mail strangers you don’t know with your opinions about something they supposedly said without providing context or mature discourse and you risk looking ignorant and contentious. You’ll make a real nice impression! But hey, you have your “free speach.”

When you have a difference of opinion, always be sure to reference what you disagree with and state your points without threats, warnings or arrogant diatribe. Mature adults can agree to disagree.

Otherwise, know that folks like me who get e-mail from folks like that, just shake our heads and think “just another wacko” right before we hit the Delete button.

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