Brie Austin

Freedom of Speech Vs Reckless Stupidity – Innocence of Muslims

Freedom of Speech Vs Reckless Stupidity comes into view with the airing of Innocence of Muslims. While freedom of speech is a great thing that has brought truth from the shadows, inspired courage, toppled oppressive governments, and enlightened the mind, soul and spirit, it is also a two-edged sword that can confuse, insult, enrage and divide.

It has been said that the pen is mightier than the sword, but in the words of uncle Ben  “with great power comes great responsibility.”

Freedom of Speech Vs Reckless Stupidity

The anti-Islam film The Innocence Of Muslims, which has cost lives, created chaos, and divisiveness in an already divisive world, makes me wonder what were the producers thinking. I’m all for free-speech, but what was the point of the film?

The film was produced by  Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, using the pseudonym of Sam Bacile, though he had long denied it, and then Terry Jones got involved fanning the flames of unrest that the film ignited after airing on YouTube.

Terry Jones is not new to controversy; he is the Florida pastor that burned the Koran and resided over mock trials of Islam in 2011.

While we should never back down to fear, there are times that responsibility requires mutual respect, and courtesy. If you had a neighbor with a different culture that you didn’t necessarily understand or agree with –Indian, Chinese or Mexican,  for example, all of which are prevalent in the U.S.A. — would you approach them and call their grandmother a whore?

There is such a thing as decorum, respect and kindness that should be at the root of our civilized behavior.

And in the end, what did the producers expect to achieve with this film?  It’s pretty clear that the film was made simply to make fun of the religion, mock and/or enrage its followers.

If these producers were our children, and they went down the block to make fun of a neighbors family or culture, would we tolerate such action?  Most of us wouldn’t.

This film’s production — and Jones’s touting of it —  amounts to no less than citing public unrest, or worse, and they should be held accountable for there reckless behavior that has caused death and violence.  After all, it’s not against the law to be stupid, but it is against the law to assault with malice, which is exactly what they have done.

About Brie Austin

Co-author of I'd Do It Again, he is a columnist/reporter for a variety of magazines in the areas of music, lifestyle, nightlife, travel and business. He also writes business documents and creates copy for websites.