The short answer to the question, “Does dissent make us weaker?” is no. But, the issue is far more complex than the short answer implies.
For one thing, just how far should Americans be able to go in exercising their right to dissent? That is, just where do their rights stop? Or do they? A popular saying holds that they stop at the end of the next person’s nose. And, judging from the never ending stream of demands that assault us every day, it appears that everything on our personal or collective wish lists has now become a right, without limit, including the right to say almost anything we want, to anyone, at any time.
Limiting DissentThat we have a right to dissent and that doing so does not make us (America) weaker seems obvious, but does it also mean that we have a right to say and do anything we want or to force our opinions or beliefs on others (as in Christian, Muslim, atheist, hedonist, or environmentalist)?Dissent may be part and parcel of the right to the freedom of speech that’s enshrined in our Constitution, but there are or should be limits.If our rights stop at the end of the next person’s nose, does that include their pocketbook? Stealing may be illegal and immoral, but whether or not it is acceptable seems to depend on who does it and why, and sometimes how. For example, some people may consider it acceptable to steal food to feed one’s family but unacceptable to steal money to keep from losing their home in foreclosure?
And, although taking money from others by force or at gunpoint, or by embezzling it from one’s employer, may be a crime, how many people condone appropriating someone else’s dollars through taxation? Probably everyone, to some degree. But, isn’t that the problem? That is, the degree?
Too often, in matters of taxation, right and wrong depend on who has the power to tax or whose ox is being gored. So, if we feel our tax laws are unfair and confiscatory, should our right to dissent include refusing to pay them?
Political Correctness vs DissentWhen did we move from the freedom of speech guaranteed by our Constitution to freedom of speech only if it’s politically correct according to some particular group, such as African-Americans, Hispanics, women, gays, liberals, conservatives, Christians, Muslims, Jews…..you name it? Our treasured freedom of speech seems to be acceptable only so long as it conforms to some special interest group’s interpretation of what they consider “correct.”
Dissent or TreasonDissent may be a good thing, but when does it become more than simply expressing one’s point of view and morph into “giving aid and comfort to the enemy” or worse yet, treason, in time of war?Consider the case of Lynne Stewart, a lawyer who represented a blind Egyptian Sheikh, Omar Abdel-Rahman, convicted in 1996 of plotting terrorist attacks in the U.S., for which he received a “life” sentence. Ms. Stewart was herself convicted of conspiracy and sentenced to 28 months in prison for providing material support to terrorists by participating in passing messages between the Sheikh and his terrorist followers on the outside, while serving as one of his attorneys. Her actions have been described as dissent from U.S. policies in the conduct of the War on Terror.
Another aspect of the question, “Does dissent make us weaker?” is the matter of where and when we have the right to dissent. Although our cherished right of “free speech” may guarantee us the right to speak out about issues, that doesn’t guarantee the right to do so everywhere and anywhere. There appears to be a lot of confusion about this. Many Americans seem to have the idea that their right to dissent obligates others to provide them with a forum for expressing their views, such as on radio and TV broadcasts. In fact, you may have the right to dissent, but you normally have to provide your own soapbox.
Right To DissentThere always seem to be good and sufficient reasons for imposing our individual or collective will on others. Both sides of the political spectrum find plenty of justification for pressing their values on everyone else. Abortion is about a woman’s right to do what she wants with her body or it’s murder, depending on one’s personal beliefs. Those on the left say the Boy Scouts are wrong to prevent gays from being scout leaders, notwithstanding the fact that the U.S. Supreme Court has held that the Constitution guarantees their right to make such a determination. But, that hasn’t stopped the ACLU and others who oppose the Boy Scouts’ policies from attempting to force communities around the nation to punish them in various ways, such as pressuring donors, including local governments, to stop giving them money or to cancel long standing privileges to use certain community facilities, such as parks and school grounds.
Dissent In The SchoolsSchools have always defined the types of organizations that are permitted to organize or hold meetings on their premises. But now, under the guise of keeping church and state separated, they go to such extremes as permitting clubs to organize celebrations like Kwanzaa or Voodoo rituals while preventing Christian students from protesting such policies on school property.
Do students have an unrestricted right to use vile language toward others, including teachers, on school grounds? Our confusion about whether there can or should be any limits on the right to dissent is vividly demonstrated by the fact that vulgar language is acceptable in some settings, such as the movies and on TV, but is unacceptable in churches and public meetings. And, although our right to dissent may include being able to curse teachers in school, prayer is considered unconstitutional.
Furthermore, the right to dissent goes beyond words. It is also interpreted as including such things as how people dress and look or such actions as burning the American flag. Some is acceptable, some not.
Dissent vs LicenseAll rights, including the right to dissent, can be measured on a continuum, ranging from not having any rights to absolute, unrestricted and uncontrolled rights to do or say anything to anyone, anytime, anywhere. But, unlimited rights eventually reach the point where they become license, that is, the unrestricted freedom to say or do anything we please, regardless of whose “nose’ gets in the way. Is that what we want?
In the final analysis, the right to dissent is really more about self-control than it is about laws or regulation or the Constitution. You may have, or think you have, the right to say or do whatever you please, but that doesn’t always mean you should, law or no law.Dissent is an important and necessary escape valve for society, but that doesn’t mean the right to do so should be unrestricted. And, although dissent in general may not make us weaker, unbridled dissent can, especially in times of war.
The problem is recognizing when it becomes treasonous or actionable (i.e., lawsuit). As with pornography, we may not be able to define dissent, but we generally know it when we see it. Dissent may not make us weaker, and sometimes it’s a little like taking medicine: we may hate the taste, but it’s good for us - however, that doesn’t mean it should be unlimited.
© 2007 Harris R. Sherline, All Rights Reserved
November 13, 2007 | Filed Under ACLU, Abortion, African-American, Boy Scouts, Christian, Constitution, Hispanic, Kwanzaa, Lynne Stewart, Supreme Court, War on Terror, conservative, conspiracy, dissent, freedom of speech, liberal, license, political correctness, politically correct, tax laws, taxation, terrorist, treason | Leave a Comment
