Katie on "freeSpeech"
We’ve gotten a lot of comments and feedback about last night’s “freeSpeech,” which featured a father whose son was killed at Columbine.
A lot of the comments were negative, like these:
We knew when we decided to put on this segment that a lot of people would disagree with it. We also knew some might even find it repugnant. (Some of you made that point loud and clear!)
But that is the very essence of what we try to do with the “freeSpeech” segment. This is a platform for our viewers to hear from a wide range of people – those who may share your views, and those who don’t.
When we approached Brian Rohrbough and asked him his thoughts about this latest school shooting, this essay was the result. We understood that people may disagree with what he said, and with what he believes. But censoring or attempting to re-shape his opinion would be antithetical to the very idea of free speech.
This is a nation built on dialogue and debate. And, most importantly, on freedom of speech. As George Washington once said, “If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”
We hope “freeSpeech” can add more voices to the national discussion. At the very least, last night, we got people talking.
And we hope the conversation is just beginning.
UPDATE: You can find more on this issue, including a statement from Executive Producer Rome Hartman, over at our sibling blog, Public Eye . -- Ed.
A lot of the comments were negative, like these:
Your free speech segment today was the biggest load of hogwash I have ever witnessed. How could you use an unspeakable tragedy to give a rightwing flat earth nut job a podium?But we also received some positive feedback:
Tonite, you have some idiot who tragically lost his son at Columbine…he has my sympathy, but he does not deserve a spot on the Evening News to spout his political views.
This ultra right wing religious right drivel is a disgrace.
The Free Speech segment from the father of the Columbine student was one of the finest pieces I have ever heard on network news. My sincere appreciation goes to CBS for the courage to air it.Clearly, this struck a nerve.
Thank you! As the mother of three children, I applaud your episode of Free Speech tonight. I’m sure that you will receive many e-mails denouncing your segment, but I appreciate hearing a “conservative” view in what can be a very liberal media…I live in the heartland of America (Kansas) and believe we all need a strong faith to get through difficult times.
I never thought I would hear such words on any network television station. He said all the things I have been thinking since the ‘60s.
We knew when we decided to put on this segment that a lot of people would disagree with it. We also knew some might even find it repugnant. (Some of you made that point loud and clear!)
But that is the very essence of what we try to do with the “freeSpeech” segment. This is a platform for our viewers to hear from a wide range of people – those who may share your views, and those who don’t.
When we approached Brian Rohrbough and asked him his thoughts about this latest school shooting, this essay was the result. We understood that people may disagree with what he said, and with what he believes. But censoring or attempting to re-shape his opinion would be antithetical to the very idea of free speech.
This is a nation built on dialogue and debate. And, most importantly, on freedom of speech. As George Washington once said, “If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”
We hope “freeSpeech” can add more voices to the national discussion. At the very least, last night, we got people talking.
And we hope the conversation is just beginning.
UPDATE: You can find more on this issue, including a statement from Executive Producer Rome Hartman, over at our sibling blog, Public Eye . -- Ed.
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See all 166 Comments" ... censoring or attempting to re-shape his opinion would be antithetical to the very idea of free speech."
Katie, you miss the point.
Nobody is interested in censoring any of your speakers. The problem is you only put conservative wingnuts (like Rush Limbaugh and Brian Rourbough) on your "freeSpeech" segment, but you NEVER put liberals or Democrats on.
The one time you did put a liberal on was when you had a columnist from the Washington Post express his opinions on Secretary of State Condoleza Rice. However, he didn't express any criticisms of her. Instead, he brought up criticisms that many conservatives have brought up that liberals felt she doesn't represent the African-American community.
Plus, you haven't allowed Bill Maher any air time to talk about religion.
As far as I'm concerned, your claim your open to all sorts of dialogue is hogwash. You're only open to conservative dialogue and nothing else.
towd2
The controversy over the "Free Speech" segment has nothing to do with Rourbough's right to speak freely. Rather, the real issue is that the type of "free speech" that has been allowed onto the air has been limited (with the obvious exception of Eugene Robinson) to the goofy political space between the "far right" and "the not so far right".
This does not count as a true diversity of opinion.
And that's the problem.
Feb. 2, 1996 Moses Lake, Wash.
Feb. 19, 1997 Bethel, Alaska
Oct. 1, 1997 Pearl, Miss.
Dec. 1, 1997 West Paducah, Ky.
Dec. 15, 1997 Stamps, Ark.
March 24, 1998 Jonesboro, Ark.
April 24, 1998 Edinboro, Pa.
May 19, 1998 Fayetteville, Tenn.
May 21, 1998 Springfield, Ore.
June 15, 1998 Richmond, Va.
May 20, 1999 Conyers, Ga.
Dec. 6, 1999 Fort Gibson, Okla.
Feb. 29, 2000 Mount Morris Township, Mich.
March 10, 2000 Savannah, Ga.
May 26, 2000 Lake Worth, Fla.
Sept. 26, 2000 New Orleans, La.
Jan. 17, 2001 Baltimore, Md.
March 5, 2001 Santee, Calif.
March 7, 2001 Williamsport, Pa.
March 22, 2001 Granite Hills, Calif.
March 30, 2001 Gary, Ind.
Nov. 12, 2001 Caro, Mich.
Jan. 15, 2002 New York, N.Y.
April 14, 2003 New Orleans, La.
April 24, 2003 Red Lion, Pa.
Sept. 24, 2003 Cold Spring, Minn.
March 21, 2005 Red Lake, Minn.
Nov. 8, 2005 Jacksboro, Tenn.
" ... God bless this guys children for in his hurry to be someone and something for only a moment, he has destroyed his own childrens chances of a normal life; they too now, will be part of the problem."
Boy, you sure have a heavy heart for victims. (sarcasm)
America has forgotten how to take responsibility for its actions. We have become a nation of passive-aggressive knuckleheads, crybabies and enablers. He overlooks the root cause of the problem, which are the parents of the shooters. How do two boys hide an arsenal in their garage and Mom & Dan don%u2019t realize that maybe there is something going on and they should do something.
When teenagers drive drunk, steal, or commit savage crimes, the parents must be held responsible. When the parents realize that they are going to be held accountable for little Johnny%u2019s screw-ups, we will see how fast this behavior disappears.
I find your 30 min. of news to be the most thought provoking newscast available.
I beleive the idea of right and wrong have found roots in our emotions. Does it feel right? Then it must be right? This is ok when you are observing artwork, because it is subjective.
Our society must have a clear definition of right and wrong and by the looks of what is going on around us, we don't. I believe in God and I believe that we are all brothers and sisters, together is what is called for, not against. Your freespeech segment bring to light the one thing as Americans we ALL agree on and this is Free Speech. When people have free speech they don't live in fear. There is only fear and love. It's good to share because we are not living in fear and this segment helps remind us how great it is to live in America.
Thank you Katie Couric for this.
I'm sad that Mr. Rohrbaugh's comments were not ones of condolence and support for other parent who are sharing his grief.
Ali Bram
Richland, Washington
First, there is no lack of opinion-mongering in the newsmedia. In fact, we are drowning in opinion and suffer from a lack of facts and real reporting. This just ads to the imbalance and continues the opinion-mongering land grab of media real estate.
Second, If you are going to cut the news for opinion, you have to show more balance. You have limited opinions to those that make evangelicals happy, but they are only 1/3 of the country. Your indulgence of evangelical opinion and censorship of areligious opinion (Bill Maher) demonstrates that your free speech segment is anything but free.
Third, you cannot pretend this is about civility and bringing people together when you invite Limbaugh and folks like this poor father whose sorrow has turned him bitter. There was nothing civil in what he said which in essense was making the case that he's moral and the rest of us will burn in hell. You should know that his "message" made me curse at your show and change the channel. Very effective programming, wouldn't you say. Incidentally, I won't be tuning in again.
You had more than a fair turn to attract me. CBS has always been my favorite news program. I used to like you. But your consistent indulgence of rightwing editorializing and the absence of any liberal balance has convinced me that you are a menace. We're done.
I believe that if you continue to provide both sides of the issues you may increase your audience and get the ratings that CBS hired you for.
Thanks again for viewing my side of the story. The majority of us who feel this way, appreciate it. (And I've even blogged about you today :)
IS FREE SPEECH OKAY ONLY WHEN YOU AGREE WITH IT?
What right do any of you have to attack the network or the speaker for voicing an opinion?
WAY TO GO CBS
The minute we took prayer and God out of the classroom what can we expect. We call upon God to help us and insist HE not be allowed in the classroom. I think the speaker hit the nail on the head when he commented on the removal of such from the classroom.
I really am sick of hearing derogatory and cliched (flat earth?) attacks on Christians and conservatives when they speak their mind. Why do liberals think that free speech only applies to them?
Thanks Katie for changing the way we view thge news and thanks for your positive attitude. I have never before watch CBS evening news but now I do it with a renewed enjoyment.
Keep up the good work Katie.
Bravo for the Monday eve "Free Speach" by the father of the son killed at Columbine. He spoke from the heart and from the heart of all of us in the midwest. if we were to put God back into our communities and learn what is right or wrong instead of each individual doing what he pleases because he wants to--not because it may hurt or injure another human. Lets hear more comments of the common American.
Thanks again, Katie.
The killings won't stop if we stop teaching Evolution or ban abortion. That's absurd to even imply that's what he meant. I don't believe that's what he meant anyway. It is about right and wrong and he is correct. We can't even teach kids what is right and wrong anymore. As long as it feels good, it's OK...that's what they learn. That's a hard way to live your life and I feel sorry for your children if that's what you have led them to believe.
It's truly unfortunate how liberal television news has become when one man's conservative opinion becomes such a controversy.
I suppose many of you who are so upset would like it better if he were to be mad at God for taking his son. Maybe you would prefer that the answer not be God because maybe that scares you that YOU'RE answer is not God.
You SHOULD be scared.....very scared.
That Was GREAT! Again, Thank You.
This country was built on "freeom of religion," and "freedom of speech." Howwever, to express yourself, you do not have to result to the same tactics that the people of Iraq in order to prove your point. We are civilization of ideas and ideals. We have prospered, because we always honored God and put Him first. Scripture is inscribed on the doors of our highest court, we take oath before testifying before any court - although that seems to be of little consequence these day.
If we move further and further away from the very Higher Power, who has sustained us, this is what we can continue to expect to see and witness.
You have the right also to question him for that but it is very hypocritical considering the free speech nature of the segment.
If only free speech applied to YOU!!!
Unbelievable.
The fact is that there are too many people with loose bolts in their heads walking around. Any amount of prayer in the classroom or talk about God isn't going to stop the murders. There are nutty people as religious or more than we are and they can be willing to kill for some demented reason.
To answer Mr. Brian Rohrbough, the only thing the Stockton massacre had to do with abortion is that Mr. Purdy should have been long ago aborted when he was a fetus. Those poor children's lives would have been spared and they will be productive adults by now.
I'm all in favor of free speech but I really hope you will give a Marxist atheist the chance to speak next time. (Funny, but we don't see many of them on CBS.)
Why didn't this CLOWN attack the NRA, which permits and supports the sale of attack weapons? Or attack the fact that "morals" have really gone out the window in the Bush junta's White House? Why didn't Couric mention anything about the fact that the facts had borne Bob Woodward out -- that our president was indeed lying to us?
Dan Rather must be sick to his stomach. Katie Couric has ruined the Evening News in a little less than two weeks.
It is easy for any of us when we experience something -- especially tragedy -- to universalize our particulars.
As a teacher, I have seen a downward spiral in respect for authority with the extreme enforcement of separation of church and state(mosque and synagogue). I believe all people of all faiths or (none) need not to be harassed in schools or treated as if they are neanderthals whether they are Orthodox Jews wearing skull caps or Muslim girls wearing headscarves, or Mennonite girls wearing caps.
The tendency to go for the lowest common denominator so as to offend none does play into the insistance by civil libertarians bthat there can be no moral absolutes of any kind. Period.
It is not surprising that many young people feel moral ambiguity about any and everything...shaky boundaries. Anyone could take a gun and shoot someone and say this action is morally relative. I frankly am surpised that there are not more such shootings.
Those who do not teach in public schools do not see it the way teachers do. Also, given the electronic addiction of many teens, the circuitry of the brain may simply be so overwhelmed with morally ambiguous images that any attempt to evaluate and control them with moral reasoning may be overwhelmed and such moral reasoning itself may be filled more with ambiguity than verities.
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