'Moses, I'm glad you're here'
Rachael Davis
Issue date: 9/8/08 Section: Opinion
While sitting in RZ's Friday afternoon, I could see Moses through the glass. He was on the Union Mall, standing on a chair, with that awful whistle around his neck. As usual, students had gathered to watch the show.
As much as I enjoy watching Moses' antics, I had some reading to do. Yet the RZ clientele's discussion of Moses distracted me. Words like "hate" were used. There was a suggestion of finding a way to ban him from the UA campus. All because they didn't like what he said.
I remember as a freshman the first time I watched Moses. The things he said were nothing new to me. I'm from Small Town, Arkansas, and I know all about those extreme Southern Baptist Revivals.
While I clearly disagreed with about 99 percent of what he said, I felt a small swelling of pride for the man. Here I saw a man exercising his freedom of speech. He was saying what he believed, giving his opinion on the world - as UA students ridiculed him with insults and four-letter words.
But never did Moses retreat. Four years later, he continues to exercise his God-endowed right to speak the way he does.
So when I hear people discussing the need or possibility to quiet this extremist, it sends a shiver down my spine, being an American who deeply treasures her Constitutional rights. America is not a place where a man is forced to shut up just because others don't want to hear what he has to say. I think back on all the other people who shouted from their First Amendment soap box the things that no one agreed with or wanted to hear.
Many would have liked to keep Dr. King quiet because they didn't agree with what he said. Many would have liked to hinder the women who fought for my right to vote.
The fact is that Moses might say ridiculous things, but it is his right to say them as a free man, as an American. I hope he is never banned or prohibited from exercising his right to free speech, because if he is quieted, then who will be next? In such politically divisive times, it is critical that Americans remember and respect the individual rights of others.
So the next time you hear Moses singing the "camel toe" song, sure you'll still see him as the crazy extremist. But I hope you'll also see him as an American keeping the fundamentals of democracy alive; for if one man is silenced, we are all silenced.
As much as I enjoy watching Moses' antics, I had some reading to do. Yet the RZ clientele's discussion of Moses distracted me. Words like "hate" were used. There was a suggestion of finding a way to ban him from the UA campus. All because they didn't like what he said.
I remember as a freshman the first time I watched Moses. The things he said were nothing new to me. I'm from Small Town, Arkansas, and I know all about those extreme Southern Baptist Revivals.
While I clearly disagreed with about 99 percent of what he said, I felt a small swelling of pride for the man. Here I saw a man exercising his freedom of speech. He was saying what he believed, giving his opinion on the world - as UA students ridiculed him with insults and four-letter words.
But never did Moses retreat. Four years later, he continues to exercise his God-endowed right to speak the way he does.
So when I hear people discussing the need or possibility to quiet this extremist, it sends a shiver down my spine, being an American who deeply treasures her Constitutional rights. America is not a place where a man is forced to shut up just because others don't want to hear what he has to say. I think back on all the other people who shouted from their First Amendment soap box the things that no one agreed with or wanted to hear.
Many would have liked to keep Dr. King quiet because they didn't agree with what he said. Many would have liked to hinder the women who fought for my right to vote.
The fact is that Moses might say ridiculous things, but it is his right to say them as a free man, as an American. I hope he is never banned or prohibited from exercising his right to free speech, because if he is quieted, then who will be next? In such politically divisive times, it is critical that Americans remember and respect the individual rights of others.
So the next time you hear Moses singing the "camel toe" song, sure you'll still see him as the crazy extremist. But I hope you'll also see him as an American keeping the fundamentals of democracy alive; for if one man is silenced, we are all silenced.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 33
John Doe
posted 9/08/08 @ 1:23 AM CST
Tell that to Abel Tomlinson.
A little offended
posted 9/08/08 @ 2:43 AM CST
I'm a little offended by your statement related Moses to Southern Baptists.
"I'm from Small Town, Arkansas, and I know all about those extreme Southern Baptist Revivals. (Continued…)
Bob Tiberius
Jeremy
posted 9/08/08 @ 1:58 PM CST
My understanding of the situation with Mr. Tomlinson is that he was disruptive. After having read countless Opeds and letters to the editor or his over the years, I do not find that altogether unbelievable. (Continued…)
Megan
posted 9/08/08 @ 7:33 PM CST
Our nation also has laws against slander and crimes of hate. Freedom of speech doesn't mean you get to slander and spew filth about other people. He has the right to believe whatever he wants but he does not have the right to force it on others. (Continued…)
Abel Tomlinson
posted 9/14/08 @ 5:05 AM CST
Prior that day to the arrest, I was trying to speak to his flock of hecklers about the danger of these right winger religious nuts (such as being essential for Bush's voting block because they vote on one issue: abortion, which has absolutely nothing to do with what is self-evident as most central to politics and government, which is economic policy). (Continued…)
Abel Tomlinson
posted 9/14/08 @ 5:46 AM CST
Since that terrible day, I have been trying to evolve and will not allow myself to become so uncontrollably angry again (mostly over the war) and if you are interested, I am now running for U. (Continued…)
jason
posted 9/22/08 @ 2:06 PM CST
Why aren't students being creative about dealing with Moses? Impromtu drum circle around him, a kiss-in surrounding him, or better yet, stop giving him an audience. (Continued…)
Bob Tiberius
Jeremy
posted 9/22/08 @ 2:31 PM CST
In regard to your first post, Mr. Piglet, with the understanding that the basic definition of "lie" is knowingly speaking a falsehood with the intent to deceive, it is impossible to accurately call me a liar. (Continued…)
piglet
posted 9/22/08 @ 3:37 PM CST
"Saying Jesus hates gays is not slander because it cannot be disproven. I believe it is false. I also believe that an argument can be made against that that any honest thinking person would accept. (Continued…)
Jeremy
posted 9/22/08 @ 4:36 PM CST
I like your approach much more now. You are making valid points based on general behavior of conservatives and points on what I said. On my part it is due mostly to deliberate gaps I left due to time and space. (Continued…)
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