The “Independence Institute“, a local political action group best known for their pro-car, pro-gun, anti-transit stance, published a response to last week’s big story about Colorado State University’s paper “The Collegian” printing the phrase “Fuck Bush” in their paper.  More on that story in this N.Y. Times article.

The article, penned by Jessica Peck Corry and Ryan Olivett, is drastically titled “The Bellyaches of Free Speech.“  In it they lambaste Collegian editor David McSwane and accuse him of “abusing his rights” as a U.S. citizen.  Their thoughts can be summed up by their last sentence.

Free speech is sacred. We don’t need to scream obscenities to prove it.

Why can’t I? It’s free speech!  Free speech is just that. There ARE no bounds. If there were, it wouldn’t be free speech. I’m over the hyperbole filled rhetoric that accompany every story about someone “overstepping the bounds” of free speech.  It’s as bad as having to qualify yourself as “For the troops and not the war” when you voice your dissent on that theme. With either topic, it’s understood that you respect and cherish your freedom, and just because you print profanity or speak profanely doesn’t mean you don’t value your free speech rights. (Larry Flynt back me up here.)

Who made it a rule that free speech is conditional?  Barring the obligatory examples of “fire in a theatre” or similar threats no one should be made to feel wrong or unpatriotic when using Howard Stern like speech in voice or in print.

I agree with the majority that profanity should be absent or moderated in a daily newspaper.  And when I meet someone who constantly utters “Fuck this - fuck that” I immediately categorize them as verbally inept. There are far more eloquent ways to express your thoughts. But remember this is a locally distributed college newspaper.  College kids can handle the work “Fuck.  “Fuck” IS a part of our vocabulary and general vernacular, and there’s no need to cringe in horror or cry “Cherish your freedom” just because you don’t care for that verbiage.

I have a letter from the 1940s written by a Pennsylvania resident to a Congressmen taking issue with a local airport for the resulting crash of a relative’s WW2 plane crash.  In it the gentleman capitalizes and underlines the word DAMN for emphasis. Profane? Sure, Expressive and to the point?  Yup.  “Damn” was probably as astounding in 1942 as “Fuck” is today. David McSwane thought the same, others didn’t. But that doesn’t make him guilty of overstepping any fictitious bounds created in the minds of those who want to wash our mouths out with Irish Spring.

Rather than chastise David McSwane for stepping out of line, those opposed to his decision should be thankful for his expression, as his shows his perceived intelligence level and manner of thinking. Wouldn’t you WANT to see that?  If you truly classify someone who uses profanity as short sighted and stupid, you would WANT him outed for such, which is exactly what happened.   But don’t paint him as un-American and unappreciative of his rights.

David McSwane made a decision to use profanity in a broad environment.  But there IS a time and place for profanity.   Is it overused in our society?  Definitely.   But don’t go overboard and sell people this “Respect Free Speech” line simply because they don’t care for certain prose they read.

The insinuation that free speech contains some underground demonic danger is simply asinine.  Jessica Peck Corry and Ryan Olivett can dial down the rhetoric a fuckin’ notch or two.