Submitted by Professor Robert Dean
Students, Free Speech 102 is now in session. Today, we have a guest lecturer, Professor Robert Dean, from Australia. Professor Dean is a distinguished graduate of the Dan Rather Excellence in Journalism workshop and of the Pol Pot Reeducation Camp program at the University of Phnom Penh.
Professor Dean: Before we start, I want to make sure you all have the prerequisite History and Constitutional Law classes. Good! As you know, the US Government did not grant us the right to free speech, as many believe today. No, freedom of speech is a fundamental human right granted to all humankind by our Creator. Does anyone here know who our Creator is?
Tom H: Yes, but I’m not allowed to say or I’ll lose my government scholarship.
Professor Dean: Anyone else? Is anyone putting himself through college by working? No? Well, let’s move on. Most people in the US know that the 1st Amendment to the constitution guarantees us the right to freedom of speech and freedom of worship. That guarantee is to protect us from someone, or some entity, who might want to take away, or in some way abridge, our freedoms. Does anyone here know who or what that entity might be?
Susan S: The Republicans?
Professor Dean: Well… Uh… yes. Any other suggestions? No? Well, actually the constitution is designed to protect our fundamental human rights from infringement by the Government. When was the US constitution written?
Sean P: I’m not sure when but my Earth Science teacher told me in Middle School that it is obsolete now because times they are a changing.
Professor Dean: Not so much! Actually, the US constitution was written in 1787 and the Washington constitution was written 100 years later in 1889 and many of the same principles are repeated and even clarified and solidified. For instance, what is the purpose of the 2nd Amendment?
Harry B: We had that in Middle School, too. The 2nd Amendment guarantees us the right to have a state police force and National Guard.
Professor Dean: Yes, that is what we are taught. But, the Washington constitution, and just about every other state constitution, makes it clear that the right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental human right to self defense. It is the same with free speech. Turn in your handouts to the Washington Constitution Article 1 Section 5. Can someone read that out to the class?
Brittany S: “Every person may freely speak, write and publish on all subjects…” According to this, there can be no censorship, then.
Professor Dean: Agreed! Except that the next part says we are presumed responsible for the abuse of that right. Can anyone think of a modern day example where censorship might be called for?
Tim L: How about when citizens want to harangue the Council about the CRC? I mean, that’s not even city business and it’s our meeting. We just get tired of having to hear over and over and over again how we made a bad decision by not allowing a public vote. It makes me want to cut off the mic and shut down Citizens Communications altogether.
Jim M: You got my vote, Tim! A bunch of goofballs, anyway!
Professor Dean: Good example, Tim! But, is it your meeting? Turn in your handouts to RCW 42.30.010. Can someone read that out for the class?
John L: Hounds of Whinerville I call them.
Christine G: The legislature finds and declares that all public commissions, boards, councils, committees, subcommittees, departments, divisions, offices, and all other public agencies of this state and subdivisions thereof exist to aid in the conduct of the people’s business.
The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created.
Jack B: Yeah, but some of these “citizens” don’t even live in the City!
Professor Dean: RCW 42.30.030. Can someone read that out for the class?
Madonna: All meetings of the governing body of a public agency shall be open and public and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting of the governing body of a public agency, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
Ted G: Ah ha! Attend, see! It says attend, not speak!
Professor Dean: Read on. Can someone read RCW 42.30.910?
Nancy P: The purposes of this chapter are hereby declared remedial and shall be liberally construed.
Rush L: See! I told you so!
Professor Dean: Liberally construed means you effectuate the constitution and the stated intent of the legislature; as opposed to quibbling over words like a Philadelphia lawyer might do. Someone read Article 1 Section 1 of the Washington State Constitution.
John L: Ankle biters.
Josephine W: All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established to protect and maintain individual rights.
Professor Dean: What is job 1 of every government agency in the state of Washington? Answer: To protect and maintain individual rights.
John L: Nimbies.
POTUS: I think it is high time we all return to more civil public discourse.
Andrea D: Liars!
John L: I am being civil. You’ll notice I haven’t called out anyone by name. Some people are just hypersensitive. Tell you what, P. Baby, I say, if the shoe fits – wear it.
Jim M: They get what they deserve!
Professor Dean: Which brings us to the role of the media. What part does the media play in protecting individual rights of citizens?
Andrea D: Investigate them!
Professor Dean: Pardon?
John L: That will only encourage their delusions of self importance.
Professor Dean: Who can tell me what is meant by the “Fourth Estate?”
Andrea D: So sue me.
Professor Dean: Anyone?…anyone?…Brancaccio?…Brancaccio?
Somewhere in the distance a dog barks.
