Abusing the right to free speech
Parisa Saranj, Collegian columnist
Issue date: 10/17/07 Section: Editorial / Opinion
The most beautiful thing about America is the freedom it affords its people. How envious I am - as a Middle Easterner - of Americans for such beautiful gifts they have been granted as freedom of speech. It is indeed a wonderful thing to be able to express the heart and not be punished, imprisoned or tortured about it.
Last week, as I was wandering in the infinite world of American beauties, I come across a quote in The Daily Mail, an English newspaper, uttered by Ms. Debra Cagan, the deputy assistant secretary for coalition affairs to American Defense Secretary Robert Gates. In a meeting with six British Members of Parliamen (MPs), Ms. Cagan expressed her heart by saying she hates all Iranians.
Cagan, one of President Bush's foreign policy advisers, made it abundantly clear that although the United States had no plans to attack Iran, it will be considered if the Iranians ignored warnings on the development of nuclear power and bombs. And, she added: "In any case, I hate all Iranians."
I, like the British MPs, was stunned by her statement. What was most resonant was a comment Cagan made on the future of Iraq. According to one of the MPs, she said if Americans leave the south of Iraq, the Iranians will take it over.
So, here I am reading these quotes from one of Bush's own advisers and reminding myself that I live in the 21st century, when the age of fascism, racism and talk of hatred is supposed to be passed. But, I remember that if I am a Middle Eastern, I also must be an ignorant, uncivilized marauder. Therefore, I must be mistaken about the true concept of Cagan's remark.
Freedom of speech, I remind myself. If a nation is so free and democratic to grant this privilege to all its citizens, then it must be with kindness and virtue that a government official makes such statements. Yes. Now, it makes sense. It is through the freedom of speech that citizens, politicians and officials can publicly assert such detestable observations and get away with it.
Last week, as I was wandering in the infinite world of American beauties, I come across a quote in The Daily Mail, an English newspaper, uttered by Ms. Debra Cagan, the deputy assistant secretary for coalition affairs to American Defense Secretary Robert Gates. In a meeting with six British Members of Parliamen (MPs), Ms. Cagan expressed her heart by saying she hates all Iranians.
Cagan, one of President Bush's foreign policy advisers, made it abundantly clear that although the United States had no plans to attack Iran, it will be considered if the Iranians ignored warnings on the development of nuclear power and bombs. And, she added: "In any case, I hate all Iranians."
I, like the British MPs, was stunned by her statement. What was most resonant was a comment Cagan made on the future of Iraq. According to one of the MPs, she said if Americans leave the south of Iraq, the Iranians will take it over.
So, here I am reading these quotes from one of Bush's own advisers and reminding myself that I live in the 21st century, when the age of fascism, racism and talk of hatred is supposed to be passed. But, I remember that if I am a Middle Eastern, I also must be an ignorant, uncivilized marauder. Therefore, I must be mistaken about the true concept of Cagan's remark.
Freedom of speech, I remind myself. If a nation is so free and democratic to grant this privilege to all its citizens, then it must be with kindness and virtue that a government official makes such statements. Yes. Now, it makes sense. It is through the freedom of speech that citizens, politicians and officials can publicly assert such detestable observations and get away with it.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 8
Eli Gottlieb
posted 10/17/07 @ 5:49 AM EST
So an idiotic woman says she hates all Iranians. This, perhaps (I am not sure of the legal definitions.), qualifies as slander. So sue her for slander. (Continued…)
Greg
posted 10/17/07 @ 1:28 PM EST
Freedom of speech under the US Constitution doesn't come with restrictions, or conditions.
If Columbia University can sit through the rantings of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the UMass can easily handle the comments of Debra Cagan. (Continued…)
KRW
posted 10/17/07 @ 3:02 PM EST
This argument flows both ways. Ms. Cagan has herself been slandered as far as any hard evidence is concerned. Some MPs, who go unnamed, have supposedly made an accusation that she said something that she denies saying. (Continued…)
in solidarity
posted 10/17/07 @ 4:43 PM EST
This was an excellent article, and I too believe that no one who makes hateful comments like Cagan did should ever hold any type of public office. We should ask for her resignation, not necessarily sue her for slander. (Continued…)
richard
posted 10/21/07 @ 4:51 PM EST
Whether Ms. Cagan was misquoted or not has become moot. Despite denials of the actual statement, every white house statement, every press conference held, it is abundantly clear--as it was prior to the invasion and occupation of Iraq--that this administration consistently exhibits strong animosity toward not only policies and specific leaders, but in saying "We will not allow THESE PEOPLE to have THE KNOWLEDGE to build a "nucular" weapon, this administration is threatening the lives of any innocent Iraqis who get in the way of their so-called "surgical" strikes. (Continued…)
MAURICIO
posted 10/23/07 @ 12:36 AM EST
If you are not sure this was a misquote you better make sure, and someone should play the devils advocate, and say that perhaps it is true Iran might take southern Iraq. (Continued…)
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