Here we go again. You know, you might think that eventually I would run out of things to complain about, but here I am, week after week, each time more irrelevant than the last. Though I suppose that depends on how you look at it.

This week’s rant comes from a recent conflict over a topic that has come up in the newsroom: censorship. Now the topic is not one that is new by any means; in fact, I seem to remember it coming up quite a few times over the course of history, most notably during a time affectionately referred to as the Red Scare.

However, since that time so many years ago, I would like to think that the human race is a bit more enlightened than it once was.

Then again, I don’t want to lie to you.

I will admit, there have been measures taken since the birth of this country to assure that we do have certain freedoms that cannot be infringed upon by any individual or organization. These include the First Amendment, and…well, you know, that’s all you really need.

The only problem with these measures is that as human beings, we tend to have a way of getting around things. For instance, with the newspaper, we have the right to say whatever we want however we want to. So long as we aren’t making libelous remarks or giving out false information, we’re fine.

Besides the little rules thrown on top of freedom, there is also the aspect of what is socially acceptable. If someone was screaming obscenities in a movie theatre, it is a very real possibility that they will be asked to leave.

Now, I’m not saying that I disagree with the aforementioned rules set upon this “freedom of speech.” However, it seems just a little strange that they would describe it as freedom, which brings forth the question, “Does freedom have limits?”

The answer: of course it does.

I think that we should call it “modified” freedom of speech. We have everything we have now, and we also have a realistic look at just how much freedom we really have.

Whether you want to restrain the amount of obscenities you use or not, it still leaves the problem of publishing direct quotes from people in the real world. Do you change someone’s wording because you do not believe it appropriate for the public eye? Is it ethical to do that to somebody’s work just so you can keep an individual from seeing a word they find offensive?

If you asked that person why it was offensive, do you think they would have a real reason? Would they simply say that it’s vulgar and has no place in print? Most people don’t have real reasons; they are simply following what has become socially acceptable.

So, where does all that leave me? I’m still here, that’s for sure. Maybe there isn’t a real answer for this censorship issue. Since the invention of free speech, we as a people have always been expected to keep ourselves in check, and when a few of us didn’t do as we were supposed to, laws were passed and rules were made. There are consequences if we truly wish to speak our minds; the only question that still remains is this: who is willing to pay those consequences?

Whether or not you agree that we are free and that the prices we must pay to express ourselves are justified, remember that you are living in a place with more opportunities than most others across the globe. To quote a hundred thousand parents throughout the United States, “Be thankful for what you have.”

Until next time, for those of you who will keep reading after this, I am the Accordion Cowboy, and I do plan to keep on mentioning….