Freedom of Responsibility

We have turned down the wrong street. I'm talking about freedom of speech. We have acknowledged that it is a right, but we have forgotten that it is also a responsibility. Freedom of speech does not entail saying anything you feel wherever you choose to do so.

There was once a radio talk show host here that challenged that belief by telling those who thought they had that right, to go into a crowded movie theater and yell "fire". Just see what happens then. Would it be your freedom to do that? Of course, but those actions could, and probably would, lead to injury to others. Therefore, it is a responsibility to use it wisely.

This may sound like an extreme example, but somewhere along the path we have failed to teach that there are consequences to these actions. It is our duty to use this right with an ounce of common sense. If we were to stand behind the first amendment for everything that comes out of our mouths, everyone will eventually lose the right.