Friday, February 1, 2008

Learning How to use free speech

I feel I have a lot to learn about free speech, and because of this I almost do not feel I should speak up yet. While there are issues today that I agree and disagree with, I have a hard time picking a few or any to really advocate for. I hope that this class will be able to open my eyes more to how free speech is effectively used and that I will become motivated to speak up about issues. 

As for the first reading in HCOM 310,  I felt like there was almost too much information given at once leaving the point almost buried. Despite that, I think the sequence of events made it clear that practicing free speech when working for the government is an action with unknown consequences. I think Rick Nuccio stumbled into things he did not expect to and took action to protect himself  because he did not want to be seen as a lier. It is written in the first few pages of his story that he knew that there were secrets, and he knew why secrecy was need, but he also knew that, as it is written, "... secrecy aligned with power invites abuse." and he was not really prepared to be apart of that. 

It is said that even secrets between friends are not kept forever, should Nuccio have expected to one day find himself a secret keeper when he started working for the government? 

2 comments:

raidergrl47 said...

This was an interesting read. I enjoyed how you connected your thoughts on free speech with the readings. It was a nice segway to to state how you wanted to wait to share your speech and then to transition into the readings. Also, it was a great idea to end your blog with a question that leaves the audience truly thinking. Well done.

freespeechprof said...

I hope this course inspires you to take advantage of those free speech opportunities! This blog could be a great way to test they waters...