[Peace] [Peace-discuss] Academic freedom, killing in Gaza

[Karen Aram via Peace]

To All
 
"Freedom of Speech", does that include innuendo's and bias such as the reporting and commentaries we get from journalists, politicians and state dept. diplomats in relation to Israel and the Malaysian airliner crash.
 
Unlike FOX news, who makes no pretense at being anything but biased, spewing propaganda, or so I'm told, CNN which is much more dangerous because they spread lies and propaganda precisely because they make a pretense of being unbiased and providing both sides.  An extreme example would be presenting one scientist out of 8 who don't believe climate change is a result of human activity vs. one scientist in 2000 who do support climate change concerns.
 
I've noted academics doing the same, which I support if they are truly unsure, but when they know the truth and present the evidence in such a way as to appear ambiguous out of fear, I can only assume, of criticism.
 
Do we support as Freedom of Speech the gossip and innuendo that disparages an individual, not for their position as a public leader, but as an individual. 
 
I have a problem with saying "Jews are responsible for the holocaust, supporting Israel, controlling the media, blah, blah" thus diminishing the good that many Jews do. because I see it as no different than the 50's schoolgirl who says "isn't it awful people are saying "Harriet" sleeps around, they shouldn't say those things", but then repeats it to others who as it spreads assume where there is smoke there must be fire, therefore she is guilty.  Only if proof is presented that she, he, " they" are not doing such should the statement be made at all.  Look at the results of our words. 
 
We can change a government and leaders behavior if we try. We can only damage an individuals reputation and cause grief, in the case of a "Harriet". 
 
We can circulate enough rumors and innuendo about a group of people in order to vilify and blame them and take the light of truth off of the real perpetrators. 
 
My bottom line analysis of Noam Chomsky's support for F of S is "the role of intellectuals and individuals is to tell the truth", never sit idly by and watch lies spread. 
I suggest that would include don't give lies a platform or megaphone to broadcast and spread.
 
First they went after the Communists, then the disabled, then the Jews, then............putting fear into the populace in order to garner support, and it all started with rumors and innuendos, vilifying people.
 
You may correct me if I'm historically inaccurate, or misinterpreting Chomsky, I welcome the discourse.
 
Just my opinion,
Karen Aram
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 06:39:05 -0700
To: peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Academic freedom, killing in Gaza
From: peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net

http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/letters-editor/2014-07-24/ui-prof-has-right-f-word-tweets.htmlI refer to D. Gehrig's letter in this morning's paper, only to emphasize the importance of "academic freedom" as a refuge from seriously considering events in the Middle East. "Academic Freedom" has its place, whether in relation to the BDS movement's call for boycott, or orchestrated campaigns against those who protest U.S./Israeli policies in the ME. Nevertheless, it's conversations about those policies themselves that should be taking place. We can also see that D. Gehrig rides to the rescue for AF in relation to Mr. Salaita, but AF is only a subset of broader Freedom of Speech
 issues, such as have been discussed on this list with a different tone by D. Gehrig. It seems to me that one should not have to have the tenure privileges accorded by AF to be accorded FS, however repugnant one's views might be to others. It would also seem that the futures of children in Gaza and policies that threaten them should be the first priority. What would be refreshing would be that Mr. Salaita's arrival portends a greater willingness to publicly discuss and debate these issues within the academic confines. DG  
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