Free Speech Versus Irresponsible Speech

I've spent the better part of this past week simmering with anger over the fallacious remarks made by Rosie O'Donnell on the May 1st episode of the popular ABC TV show; The View. Ricki Lake was a guest host for this show. I spent the better part of my adult life serving my country. A career soldier and his or her family never truly leave the military. The military is, in point of fact, a large extended family. By and large, we don't appreciate condescending comments from those on the outside. Rosie chose to insult the intelligence of our military. The following dialogue is taken from You Tube.com:

O'Donnell: Wait, can I say something? Why do people enlist in the military?

Lake: To get an education, and they're poor.

O'Donnell: Thank you.

Lake: and that's the only way to get one.

O'Donnell: The vast majority - Yes Elisabeth, it's true.

Hasselbeck: First of all, in the past year, the testing scores of our armed services have been higher than ever, so the education level - (Interrupted by Rosie)

O'Donnell: You are wrong. We have convicted felons in the Army because we're allowing them to get through.

Hasselbeck: So, they're awful. They're awful then.

O'Donnell: Elisabeth, I do everything I can to support the troops financially and emotionally. I love them as much as you do. I'm as much of a patriot. I want them home.

This transcript is part of a longer diatribe primarily voiced by Rosie. So, when does our right of free speech come into conflict with it's responsible use? If Rosie believes, as I do, that the First Amendment is sacrosanct, then why is the meaning of the Second Amendment, in her view, open to interpretation? Our right of free speech does not come to us without personal responsibilities. It is up to the individual to weigh the appropriate use of it and claim responsibility for it. Rosie has every right to say anything she wants; after all, I spent 21 years defending her right to speak out. At the same time however, she also has a responsibility to consider the impact her use of free speech has on her fellow man. According to Wikipedia.org, Rosie dropped out of Dickinson College and Boston University in order to pursue her career in comedy. Knowing this, do I have right to call her a college dropout? My right of free speech guarantees that I do, however, my judicious use of it obligates me to keep my mouth shut. Calling her a dropout would be both unfair and hurtful; especially since she simply had chosen to pursue another path in life. As a heterosexual male, do I have any right to make callous, uninformed observations about gay culture in America? Yes, of course; however, it is oftentimes more polite to keep your mouth shut; especially, if you intend to speculate on something that you don't truly have full knowledge of.

The truth of the matter is, our armed forces are an all volunteer force. The education level of newly enlisted soldiers surpasses those of their counterparts in the civilian portion of their generation. Don't simply believe me. As Rosie would say, "Google it!" People of the same belief as Rosie, have a difficult time coming to terms with our military. Vietnam was much easier for the anti-war crowd. Vietnam was a different war in a different time. There is a world of difference between a military force of conscripts and an all volunteer force. The anti-war crowd knows this; thus, following the lead of Rep Charles Rangle, they have decided to play a game of class warfare. In reality, our military is a microcosm of Americana. Soldiers come from all walks of life. It is not unusual, nor has it ever been, for a two man foxhole to be occupied by a college graduate and a high school dropout. The commonalities of military mission, ethos, and values have always surmounted the differences of ethnicity, education or financial status between soldiers. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of our peers outside the military.

Basically, life is a personal responsibility. It is a daily battle; during which, you must constantly decide when to open your mouth or simply keep quiet. Oftentimes, it is a better decision to keep quiet and not allow your mouth to write checks that your brain can't cash. As a final note, I went to Rosie's website. She told Elisabeth that she supported the troops both financially and emotionally. A quick look at Rosie's site showed all of the military links, with the exception of one, to be anti-war sites. The sole, nonpartisan site was, The Fallen Heroes Fund. I went to the Fallen Heroes Fund website and found their list of contributors. Neither Rosie O'Donnell nor her foundation were listed as a contributor to this fund so, she is either an anonymous donor or, she is being disingenuous by listing it on her site. Ironically, Don Imus the tarred and feathered shock jock, was listed as a donor to this worthy cause. Bill O'Reilly, Rosie's nemesis, was also listed as a donor. Just as Cuba Gooding Jr. told Tom Cruise in the film "Jerry Mcguire", Rosie, "show me the money!"