Freedom of Speech Class in session

Good morning, class. Today we’re going to talk about freedom of speech.

With a little twist.

So, class, when you hear the words “freedom of speech” what do you think of? Cooper?

“The ability to say just about anything you want.”

Very good. Speech, I think we’d all agree, is a very powerful tool. But something that is probably even more important in that phrase is something that, today, almost feels like a tagalong. It’s the other word in the phrase: freedom.

Jake?

“So what’s the point, professor?”

The point, Jake, is that freedom allows you to speak. But it also allows you to not speak. And therein lies the other side. That’s the twist we’re going to talk about today. Danni?

“But, really, who would take advantage of not speaking?”

Jimmy, you have an example?

“Now that you mention it, professor, we do see a lot of defendants in trials who decide not to speak.”

Excellent, Jimmy! Ring the bell for yourself. And what do you think when a defendant isn’t willing to speak on his own behalf? OK, no need to answer that.

Let’s move on to the real exercise today. Politicians. Anyone ever hear of politicians who are not willing to talk? Noodles?

“What? Are you kidding me? These guys can’t shut up.”

Easy, Noodles. Think about it a little more. Is that the case all the time? Hannah?

“Wait a second, I guess you do see a few politicians who don’t talk to the press. However crazy that might sound.”

That’s correct. And why do they say they won’t talk to the press? Fernando?

“Well, I do remember a few politicians saying they didn’t like what was being written about them. That they felt the stories and editorials were hit pieces or something.”

Good point, Fernando. But what do you really think is going on? Cooper?

“When I hear that line, when they don’t address the specifics of the story, I think — most readers think — they got caught with their hand in the cookie jar, have no defense and just keep quiet.”

I like the use of the phrase “no defense” there, Cooper. It brings us back to the earlier point about folks who keep quiet at trials.

So let’s say someone is running for office. Do you think it would be a good strategy to keep quiet, even if they don’t like what is being written? Jake?

“Well, as you pointed out, professor, they certainly have the right, the freedom, to not speak to the press. But it seems like a pretty crazy game plan.

“If the press is going to give you the opportunity to say something, to defend an action, it just seems logical you would take it.

“Frankly, I used to hear just the opposite from politicians. That the press didn’t call them. That the press didn’t give them an opportunity to speak.

“But now I guess even when they are given the opportunity, some just don’t take it.”

Very nice, Jake. We’re running out of time, so let’s recap: Freedom of speech also includes freedom not to speak. But those who don’t speak simply lose their opportunity to get their side of the story out there. And if you’re running for office, it just makes sense that people want to hear from you.

And so it goes. Class dismissed.

Lou Brancaccio is The Columbian’s editor. Reach him at 360-735-4505 or lou.brancaccio@columbian.com.