Is Freedom of Speech Really Free?

I sat in last period history class, my eyes fixed on the clock. “Twenty more minutes” I mumbled to myself, “twenty more minutes until freedom.” I was hardly engaged in the days discussion topic which was the current status of a post 9/11 world. I casually listened to the ideas of my classmates as I chewed my grape flavored bubble gum and doodled on my notebook, blowing bubbles and quietly popping them with my tongue in an attempt to pass the time. My teacher rambled on about how Saddam Heussein’s time to disarm is up and how Al Queda must be destroyed. One particular point of view from the boy sitting next to me brought my attention back to the discussion. “Actually, the U.S. gave Saddam Hussein the chemical weapons he is using, and the CIA helped him find the targets to use them on. It is their own fault he has access to these weapons and President Bush is moron. He doesn’t know how to get them back, he just talks big because he is trying to make a name for himself as an active President.” I was shocked by the boldness of the comment but it was nonetheless an interesting perspective. I looked to our teacher to see his response. Our usually very open history teacher was obviously offended. The class was silent for what seemed like an eternity, before he snapped “Actually you are wrong, and that kind of thinking will not be tolerated in this classroom.” My teacher then dismissed my classmate from the discussion. I was shocked that a student was punished for having a valid opinion and for voicing it. I began to wonder if freedom of speech is actually free, or if there is in fact always some consequence for having your own opinions.

The recent debate over terrorism and America’s reaction to it, has stirred controversy over the rights of free speech. Since the events of September 11, 2001, a large number of people have admitted that they believe the government should have a say over what is being broadcasted and printed The request for government censorship and suppression of free speech following 9/11, is nothing short of an infringement on our Constitution. As Americans, how can we claim be such strong defenders of free speech, and then turn around and put limitations on what we can say regarding the