Risk or not a risk? What is the difference...?

Monday we spoke about the Scopes trial and I began to think about the different ways that free speech is exercised and when it gets challenged. First of all we have the wacky people who exercise their free speech to harm others such as the Westboro group. There are protestors who out of fear and hate make their negative views toward another group known (Minute Men). There are students who disagree with policy and protest. And then we have what took place in the Scopes trial where people who hold traditional views attempt to quiet those with contemporary ideas.
I started thinking about how safe the trial was. Scopes knew that the only consequences of his challenging the law against teaching evolution were minor. But if we look at other historical figures who challenged the status quo, they had much more at stake. I had a point that I was going to make last night when I began writing this blog but I seem to have forgotten it. So maybe anyone who reads this can tell me what you think about the differences in peoples actions based on how safe it is to speak out. What is the difference for those who risk everything and those who risk very little?

I lose my citizenship at immigration

We read about Randall’s experience with trying to get her American citizenship back after she had renounced it. I wanted to reflect on similar, but not as dramatic experiences, each time I try to reenter the US after visiting abroad. Maybe it’s the way I look or I always get the angry immigration officers but getting back into the US is an ordeal. I feel like I am applying for citizenship each time I am forced to stand in line. Even though I have rights I feel like this is the moment where I have to keep my head down, and keep my mouth shut.
Some years ago I had my car broken into while my brother any I were snorkeling at the southern tip of the Baja peninsula. The thief took my passport, driver’s license, and social security card. I had nothing left to prove my identity when I tried to reenter the US. I had to go through a process to prove I was an American at the border. Finally after what seems like ages I was allowed back in.
When a person is at the mercy of an immigration officer it seems like we have no rights- this takes us out of our comfort zone and we see what it is like for people who have no rights.

Im confused...

I think its interesting how our ideas about free speech have been part of an ongoing debate that started before the creation of the United States. In class we talked about how limiting free speech can lead to the elimination of free speech. I wrote in my paper about locations that should be off limits to protestors but now I can see that if we set precedents for limiting free speech it becomes easier to take this right away. So now I am left confused. It seems like we are stuck in a catch 22… I need to think more about this.

Westboro

In our class discussion we our group talked about the Westboro Baptist church. I looked them up and I found a list of some of their targets. They include funerals of people killed at columbine the space shuttle disaster etc.. I checked out their website and on it they have a picket schedule along with fliers for funerals they have protested at.
After looking at their site I am left wondering if this is all a joke. I seems like the webmasters of these sites gets off on the publicity their words of hate have received.
I don’t know why but I watched one of their films about how preachers are frauds (they said something worse but I don’t want to repeat it). These guys have dirty mouths!
Down with Wesboro!

Westboro

Minute Men and Women.... ick

Here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LCL2IqgjSc&feature=related check it out and tell me what you think...
I was watching this video the other day and I was deeply disturbed at how people can stand in the street and tell their fellow Americans that they hate them and want them to leave the country. The Minute Men protestors are calling the Latino male who is filming a coward and to go back home. Where is home? The Man filming responds by saying he is indigenous and that the Minute Men are European immigrants. Is this whole issue really about immigration or are Mexicans the scapegoat for other problems?

First blog

Um, well this is my first blog and I cannot think of much to say. So I guess I can ask some questions and maybe someone who reads my blog can answer them.
- Why do Venus fly traps always die within weeks of purchasing them?
- Why do flies completely disappear when you buy a Venus fly trap?
- How long does a Venus fly trap take to digest its food?
At this point everyone in this house is even willing to settle for a silly moth.

Ok back to the free speech... isn’t this conversation a form of free speech since I am pretty much able to say anything I want... on my next post I guess I can keep the conversation on topic but this one is a freebee- I hope.

I have some news! Just a moment ago a moth entered the Venus fly house- with a little help from my sister. There is a rumor that the moth was heard saying “help me” in a squeaky voice.