There’s a reason it’s “Free Speech” Alley
Monday was the first time that campus has been graced with the blue sky and sunlight in quite some time. However, after a day of spiritual revival on Sunday, campus is also graced with the presence of make-shift preachers.
Attracting their normal ring of dissenters and followers they preach for hours on the Bible, Jesus and their faith. Many see them as an annoyance if not a complete nuisance for anyone strolling through Free Speech Alley.
Yet, something needs to be said to the student body. Many feel the need to protest and challenge these preachers of the Gospel. Yet, open dissent is not what is needed.
As an open homosexual and a strong liberal, many of the things said not only hit me hard, but offended me. As they should. However, open challenging is not what is needed.
Free Speech Alley was created as a place for open discourse. However, discourse is supposed to be a formal discussion. Not some playground fight between people of differing opinions. Without support for open discourse in Free Speech Alley, we might as well just change the name to Speech Alley.
For if people are constantly berated for their views and opinions, how can the Alley be about free speech?
It has always been a practice of this Federal Government to provide its citizens with the Freedom of Speech in most circumstances.
I believe strongly that everyone’s voice needs to be heard, whether they contribute $500 million or five dollars to a campaign.
But for those who sit and openly slander and challenge these preachers, remember this, destroying someone’s freedom of speech destroys your own.
Yelling criticisms, challenges and protests of someone’s beliefs means that you tacitly consent to have your own right to speak your mind taken away.
Although, these preachers’ message might not be what you want to hear, that doesn’t mean others do not want to hear it.
Personally, upon seeing a person preaching in the Alley or someone handing out Bibles and pamphlets, I try to avoid them through any means.
However, it pains me to see someone take one of their Bibles and take another two steps and toss it in a trash can. It’s rude and inconsiderate. Take some time to think about what they say, if you don’t like it, move on.
If you are found with nothing better to do than sit there and take meaningless jabs at them, remember what Voltaire said, “I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to the death, your right to say it.”
In the current state of our Nation, at a time with fewer and fewer civil liberties for American citizens, it is important to protect what we still have.
Protect others’ right to speak, and one day, when you have something to preach, whether it be anarchy or the Gospel, someone may protect your right.
Crawford Daniel Leavoy
Freshman
Political Science
“On Top” not a controversy
I am not sure why Jessica Pivik’s “On Top” columns are getting so much grief.
If you are in college and do not want to read about sex and relationships, then don’t bother reading her column which clearly states that is what she is going to write about.
If you do read the column, then don’t take it so seriously. She fills it with humor, so obviously you aren’t supposed to read what she writes as the infallible truth.
She is an LSU student, she is not the pope. She never said she was a sex expert or what she says applies to all students.
Live for yourself and stop expecting people to change what they write so that you can sleep better at night.
Lacey Cormier
Sophomore
ISDS
Republicans rarely able to get a word in
I am writing this in response to a Letter to the Editor by Mr. Chad Roberts on Feb. 17 entitled, “Democrats are disgrace to America.”
Mr. Roberts, I give a resounding “Hoo-Rah” to you.
You have truly said what the Republican masses have wanted to say but never do.
It is obvious that the media is overly liberal and that we Republicans are rarely allowed to get a word in without being harassed by Democrats attacking every principle we ever stood for.
Thank you for being the first person I have seen to step up and give your opinion.
I hope that you have begun a trend which will encourage other people like you to stand up and give their opinions.
Gasper Migliore III
Freshman
Chemical Engineering