First Amendment and the News

Vivian Diamond
EOC: Week 9
The First Amendment and the News

In the news this week was the issue of a Florida pastor declaring to all who would listen that in remembrance of the attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11, he and his church followers were going to burn copies of the Koran. It garnered much publicity in the news to the point that even President Obama has stepped in to ask this man not to go ahead with his plans.

Should this pastor, Terry Jones, be allowed to put American soldiers and citizens in Muslim countries at risk of danger or even death in retaliation of his act? Or should his First Amendment rights supersede those of many other Americans that may be in harm’s way?

I personally think this is almost like yelling “Fire” in a crowded building. It is against the law because of the danger to life and limb it can cause in inciting panic in a crowd. If you have followed the news about this story, you will have seen how many Muslims are already up in arms over this matter. I would go even further to say that if Pastor Jones wanted to go to Pakistan and put on his show there, than fine, take chances with his own life, not those of innocent people who may or may not have a choice in being in a prominently Muslim country when the firestorm is set off.

Was President Obama justified in speaking up? Yes, in protection of his fellow citizens abroad, I feel it is time that we have leadership that isn’t afraid of expressing an opinion when it comes to religion or other touchy topics when American lives are involved. Mr. Jones has said that he has reconsidered because the other issue of the Mosque being built in New York near ground zero has been changed. (which I read this morning isn’t true)