The Review

Issue date: 4/17/07 Section: Editorial

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Free speech. Together, those two words define a nation, stir a massive amount of controversy and provide us with one of the greatest liberties we, as Americans, have.

I could not write this column if it were not for free speech. Hell, any opinion section in this newspaper would fail to exist without the right. And the content would surely suffer because of censorship.

This right we have is tremendous, but at the same time makes many ask the highly debatable question - when has free speech gone too far?

According to the more than 80 university students who joined a Facebook group titled "Egg the Kirkbride Jesus Guy," the right has been abused.

An excerpt from the description for this group is as follows: "The Kirkrbide Jesus guy finally took it too far today with his sign telling us all that gays, lesbians, un-submissive women and Roman Catholics are all going to Hell. Anyone who hates this guy as much as I do and is tired of his stupid ramblings, bring an egg to class on Monday, Apr. 30 and let the asshole get what's coming to him. Namely, egg yolk all over his face to show him the sinner that he is."

You are now a bit more stupid for having read this garbage.

First of all, going after someone based on their beliefs is what is known as a hate crime. The members of this group may not know that term, but trust me, it is a fairly serious offense.

I found this to be interestingly ironic when I was invited to join the group. The "Kirkbride Jesus Guy" (KJG) held up a sign telling a couple groups of people they were sinners, and, in return, the genius creator of the group wishes to egg him "to show him the sinner that he is."

It's pretty cool that the group's creator is actually the authority on who is a sinner. I would love to meet him so he can assault me to show me my wrongdoings. Note the sarcasm.

Just another bit of irony for you, the group wants to fight intolerance with intolerance. Dwell on that for a second.

This campus is a liberal atmosphere. Should the attacked groups be upset and offended by the sign? Absolutely. Was it right for KJG to hold it up? No way. Did he have every right to do it? He sure did.

As a student body, we have no right to physically attack this man for his beliefs. The plan was changed from egging him to shooting him with water guns, which is much less harmful, yet still juvenile and indecent.

Through his sign he attacked the gay and lesbian community, and now members want to soak him on the street. I was wondering, did anyone run by with a Super Soaker while they were doing mock weddings to protest gay marriage rights? I didn't think so.

Not everyone on this campus believes that gay marriage should be legalized. But they respected the right to let people know about those who do over a sound system on the steps of Trabant. I thought it was a great idea on how to protest peacefully, so why turn to actions on par with that of an eighth grader when someone else peacefully states their beliefs? It's immature. We are in college. Act like it.

Anyone trying to censor this man is hurting society. If you look back over the past century there are numerous groups that have disallowed free speech. It's easy to figure out who I am referring to, and I do not think anyone would want to be compared to them.

As a country we need to respect the right to free speech. That means respecting another's right to it, but, more importantly, respecting the way we use the privilege ourselves.

KJG abused his right, so as a society we need to reach an understanding on where the line is. It is OK to believe whatever you want, but sometimes beliefs are best kept private or in a circle with those who share them. That still does not change the fact that he was well within his rights to do what he did.

The way to stop his intolerance is not to attack him like a bunch of pre-pubescent assholes with squirt guns, but to educate others on tolerance so we can grandfather people like him out of society.

I hope cooler heads prevail in this situation and 80 plus students do not embarrass themselves or this university - which preaches tolerance - just because one jackass created a group and decided it was "judgment day."

Leave him alone. Ignore him. And respect his right to stand there and scream all he wants. Trust me, you'll be much happier.


Brian Citino is an Editorial Editor for The Review. His viewpoints do not necessarily represent those of The Review Staff. Please send comments to bcitino@udel.edu.

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