Who or What Should Be Censored?

Elberon, NJ June 17, 2000 Aaron H. Schectman

THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on issues, ideas and reflections on the times. Published now and
then. Opinions pro or con are welcome.
WHO OR WHAT SHOULD BE CENSORED?
There is a hue and cry now for censoring the voices and ideas of certain
celebrity individuals. Dr. Laura (Schlesinger), the radio talk show host,
is one and Bruce Springsteen the composer and reputed singer is the other.

Dr. Laura takes heated fundamentalist positions about moral issues and
Bruce has just aroused the ire of the New York Police officialdom and other
fundamentalists by his song inspired by the police execution of an innocent
using an excess of enthusiasm and bullets. Why censor anything? Look what
happened to the Holocaust Denier, John Irving, who was brought down when HE
sued a lady academic for calling him the Nazi apologist he is. The public
debate ensuing during the trial brought a great deal of fresh air into a
smelly bag of dirt. The Holocaust happened and should be remembered for
what it was: the cowardly war against a religious group which destroyed not
only six million Jews but at least six million others who were innocents
caught up in the frightfulness of World War II.

What I would like to point out is that he was free to spout his prejudiced
and hateful poison and was dipped in public tar and feathers by the truth.
Troublesome topics should not be forced down and away from our view.
Disputes need airing. For Dr. Laura to continue to maintain that
homosexuality is immoral and against "God's" commandments is perfectly o.k.
Her position is not different from that of other fundamentalist preachers
and religions. She should NOT be censored and commanded to stop. When
there is enough public outrage against her ignorant statements she will
stop. She has an academic doctorate - but who ever said that having that
degree made you smart?

Bruce Springsteen should be judged on his songwriting ability and singing
acumen rather than his subject matter. If people don't like his subject
matter they will not buy his tapes and he will switch to other topics. The
New York Police rallied to protest this one song and have not helped their
case. Censorship is wrong in most cases. What do you think?
Carol's Evaluation: 9 out of 10