October 19, 2001

Dissent

The United States of America was built on dissent. The idea of dissent is written into the Constitution of the United States of America in that we are guaranteed the freedom of speech so that we may voice our dissent, the freedom of and from religion so that we may differ in how we should or should not worship any diety or dieties, the freedom of the press so that we may publish our dissent and the freedom to peaceably assemble so that we share our dissent with one another.

On September 17, 2001, comedian Bill Maher compared what the U.S. political leadership called the cowardice of terrorists by flying commercial airliners-turned weapons into the World Trade Center towers and The Pentagon with what he called the cowardice of firing cruise missiles at targets instead of using manned aircraft on strike missions. "We have been the cowards," Maher said. "Lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away, that's cowardly. Staying in the airplane when it hits the building, say what you want about it, that's not cowardly."

The following day, Ari Fleischer, the press secretary for the office of the President of the United States, made the most un-American comment in reply:

"There are reminders to all Americans that this is not a time for remarks like that; there never is." - Ari Fleischer, September 18, 2001

Whether I agree with what Maher said, or what Jerry Falwell said four days before that, or even what Fleischer said doesn't matter. That these Americans have dissenting opinions from one another is what makes the United States great. That they have the right -- not the privilege but the right -- to speak their dissenting opinions on a daily basis from the highest pedestal around is what makes the United States even greater.

The idea of the United States is based on pluralism. Because of pluralism, there are differing opinions on every issue that Americans face. And to voice our dissent is the most American thing any one of us can do.

- Rich