I read both Andrew Tibbetts’ editorial on dealing with obscenity printed on September 1 and the two responses to it printed on September 8 and felt the need to add my own thoughts. I agree that the degree of obscenity Tibbetts used was inappropriate for an editorial.

However, I was more bothered by Brad Stephenson’s opinions. Suggesting that hearing a swear on your way to class is equivalent to having a bag of trash dumped over your head is ridiculous. The swear can be tuned out and forgotten; trash sticks to you until your next shower and physically affects you. Hearing a spoken word does not. I will grant that hearing a swear on the way to class may offend and distract some people but it should not physically affect anyone. Thankfully, Stephenson agrees that the first amendment is more important than his sensibilities but suggests that we should all attempt to lower swearing on campus. That is fine, on one condition: words not just offensive to him should be reduced.

At various points throughout the year I feel assaulted by people who feel the need to press their religious views on me by handing me bibles or pamphlets explaining that I need Jesus in my life. There is even a billboard on Congress Street proclaiming that “Jesus has real answers!” and although I realize it is not on campus, it is indicative of the fact that people offended by pushy religion are expected to put up with it while people offended by swearing are not. That billboard would long have been removed if it contained half the swears of Tibbetts’ editorial.

What I am saying is that if we attempt to avoid offending anyone we must morally attempt to avoid offending everyone and at that point it becomes nearly impossible to say anything meaningful. This country is founded on the right to speak regardless of whom we offend and it is important not to forget that. Freedom of speech is a beautiful thing and should not be restricted for the sensibilities of some, even if the some are a majority.

Michael Ayer