With Free Speech Comes Responsibility

I have a Christian friend who is a photojournalist in Pakistan. I will not reveal name, etc. to protect this person's safety. But a message today sent to me by my friend touched my heart and I believe what my friend writes is reflective of so many people around the world and what they think about the USA.

My take is that in this day of high tech communications, the truth and facts still don't always get to everyone. My friend and many others believe that the anti-Islam film upsetting Muslims around the world right now was created by the United States government. I have assured my friend that the film was done by an individual and not by our government. I also reminded my friend about our concept of "free speech" and the 1st Amendment to our U.S. Constitution. But I added that with free speech comes responsibility and one should always consider whether what you say will hurt others. There ARE limits to free speech.

I believe that having and expressing opinions is good as long as those opinions are based on fact and fairness. The film in question played fast and loose with both and it is making all Americans look bad and hurting our national security and commerce.

I just wanted to say all of this to my fellow Americans this morning to remind you that there are many around the world who still believe in the United States of America, it's core concepts and principles, and what we stand for. "The shining beacon on a hill" as President Reagan has said. 

I think we should read what my friend says below and be humbled. We should stop our petty fighting amongst ourselves in this election season and recognize that we have a responsibility to our nation, ourselves and to the world, to be our very best and remain that beacon on a hill. Because what we say does matter and does affect folks. In the case of my Christian friends in Pakistan and those living in other Muslim-dominated nations this morning, what we say here in the USA can bring wrath and violence down on them.

From my Christian friend in Pakistan: 

"dear brother plz tell ur govt not to make these kind of flim cuz of that we have to face so much persecution the money they spending on making flim by that they can help poor Christians , yesterday i face so much bad thing due to that they abuse JESUS ur in media u can convey message , we are not so much rich that we can sattle in other countries my self earn a very little money which only help to run wheel of house plz dont take me wrong GOD BLESS USA and his people but the side effect of these kind of flim come on poor people like me who is Christ beliver in pakistan" 

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Copyright 2012, Porter Versfelt III