Editor,
Christian Beenfeldt, in his letter to the editor in Thursday's edition of the Daily Lobo, is wrong.
Freedom of speech is not absolute. You cannot scream "fire" in a crowded theater. You cannot block traffic for a protest. You cannot threaten someone.
Publishing these cartoons could cause eminent danger to United States citizens and therefore may not be considered free speech. He should research the terms "prior restraint" and "clear and present danger" in any government textbook.
What is most worrisome is his attitude toward simple courtesy. Why should we deliberately offend others for no apparent reason other than to arrogantly exercise our rights?
Certainly we can debate without insulting each other. Offending others for the sole purpose of exercising our rights is unproductive and irresponsible.
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Publishing the cartoons only serves to satisfy our voyeuristic drives and prolongs the hatred.
Larry Walsh
Daily Lobo reader
