The Issue Is The First Amendment Despite What You May Have Heard

The cure for the evils of democracy is more democracy!

 

H. L. Mencken, Notes on Democracy, 1926

 

There has been much commentary related to the recent Supreme Court ruling which upheld the right to freedom of speech for a high school cheerleader.

In overly broad strokes, the teenager in question was not selected for the cheerleading squad. She took to her social media platforms to express her displeasure, in the unique way teenagers can express themselves, and heavy on the epithets. The school discovered her posts and decided to impose sanctions on her.

She was off the campus at the time, and many commentators opted to base their opinions on what students have a right to say depending on whether they are on the school’s clock or their own.

 

The Madison Conservative finds such perspectives absurd.

 

There are many societal aspects to this story.  Should a 14-year-old be suspended for what used to be called ‘flipping the bird’ in a photo and posting it online? Should a 14-year-old be suspended from school for adding a ‘f-this, f-that’ caption to the photo? Does a school have a right to monitor its student’s social media posts?

 

The Madison Conservative, an unabashed proponent of the United States Constitution, answers these questions with an unequivocal and resounding NO. Student conduct, in and out of school, is the realm and responsibility of the parents or guardians.

 

None of these issues however are of our concern. What troubles us is that the case was even brought to court, let alone the Supreme Court.

 

As we have written on previous occasions, the freedom of speech is absolute. We do not ascribe to the beliefs of those who expound the theory that freedom of speech does not allow someone to yell fire in a theater. Of course, one can do so. As a society, however, we have opted to exact a steep price to be paid for such conduct.

It is a warning sign that every American must not ignore. Consider for a moment the implications of surrendering your freedom of speech to a governmental authority, which a school actually is. Should you be fired for posting how your boss didn’t give you a raise? The internet is repleat with platforms which allow you to comment on your experience at a particular restaurant. Should the restaurant be allowed to sue foor damages because the steak was overcooked and the broccoli soft and squishy?

 

While interesting as a concept, our concern is that such arguments are becoming accepted as the new normal. The political left purports to support the Constitution, as long as you do not, in any way, question their orthodoxy.

The right to free speech is not a question of degree. The axiom used to be that I may disagree with every fiber of my being what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

That statement is the definition and expectation of a healthy first amenmdment. Discussing a 14-year olds right to be an angry 14-year-old signals a worrisome trend for every citizen.

 

Say that which you believe, and allow the opposing voice to be heard with equal respect as yours. They may be wrong, but their right to say it is absolute. Debating that point means no American is safe.

As noted, the corollary issues have their merit, but do not lose sight of the reality the issue is about the first amendment, despite what you may have heard.