Freedom of Speech and Censorship.

Freedom of speech gives reach of us the right to say what we think, right? But maybe not to employers and bosses. Maybe not to family members and friends who are sensitive. Using tact is self-preservation.

Of course there are the issues of being politically correct. I don't have the right to say things that slander others or that sound prejudicial about a group of people. Do you feel we go too far in our attempts to avoid accidentally offending others? Have you had someone become upset at something you said innocently? Sometimes I feel we work too hard.

At a baby shower we each got a pacifier on a ribbon. We were instructed to avoid the use of the words "baby" and "cute". If we used either word we lost our pacifier to the first person who heard the slip. Of course some of us collected many pacifiers because some people were quick to catch the slips. Frankly, giving up the pacifier was a relief! Telling me not to use a word will bring that one to my mind often.

Humor has often been cut-down humor that relates to people's backgrounds, race, gender, career, religion, hometowns, sports teams, and more. People can go too far, of course. Mel Gibson and Don Imus are prime examples and Mel was drunk. Some insulting comments are made as the result of anger, while others just pop from people with undersized brains. Should we be held accountable for things we say in private and should goofs be made public? Should people be allowed to follow someone around and invade his or her privacy, just because that person is in the public eye? If a teacher is overheard uttering a word in private or away from the classroom that wouldn't be appropriate at school, should that effect her job?

With the popularity of the internet and the ease of setting up blogs and websites, some folks feel they can say whatever they wish, fact or fiction? Should there be more censorship? What should happen to people who lie about others on websites or blogs? Should newspapers and television announcers be allowed to lie in the form of a question? When you hear or read words like "Did Sharon Stone visit to the XXX clinic because of her eating disorder?", do you hear that she has an eating disorder? Will it matter that the article might mention that she's working out to lose weight or that she hasn't actually lost weight but gained muscle? Does it matter that headlines like that sell papers, get people to listen?

Opinions? More to follow tomorrow, if no one else fills the spot.