Posted by Harvey Siegel '67 on 4/9/2008, 9:12 pm, in reply to "Re: Mr.’s Dave Kaisler, John Gray Wallace & Dennis Jordan… Give it a rest!"
70.155.70.112
I agree with Gary & Joe in the sense that much of what has been written here of late has bordered on “babble”… however, I don’t agree the answer is “to shut up” our former alumni because we object to such babble.
Free speech promotes "The free flow of ideas essential to democracy and democratic institutions" and limits the ability of one to subvert other rights and freedoms. It promotes a marketplace of ideas, which includes, but is not limited to, the search for truth. Most importantly, it is intrinsically valuable as part of the self-actualization of speakers and listeners.
If the babblers want to babble… let them babble. If those amongst us choose to criticize them for doing so… write your criticisms. But don’t restrict anyone’s right to express themselves because one is “bored”.
Long before the Internet and message boards true public speaking was an art passed down to us in Western Civilization from the Romans to the English and spread all around the plant. On a trip to London many years ago, I went to “Speakers' Corner” in Hyde Park. This is an area where public speaking is allowed and encouraged. It is supposedly the original and most noted one in all of England. Speakers there are allowed to speak as long as they like. Anyone can say anything as long as they want… or until the Bobbies are summoned and intervene when they receive a complaint about bad language or some drunk passed out on the stoop. I stood there for about two hours and listened to a variety of speakers just ramble on. Most of the two hours, I was the only one listening... despite the fact that hundreds walked by!
We can learn a lot from our English brethren on this count. Free speech for all… and if you don’t like what they’re saying… tell’m about it!
Babblers…… Babble on!
