Free Speech?

I read this article this morning. Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal is promoting her new movie, which is about the aftermath of "9/11". In discussing the film, she said, "I think America has done reprehensible things and is responsible in some way and so I think the delicacy with which it's dealt allows that to sort of creep in".

Now, by and large, Americans seem to think that their country is a modern day hero, faultless in every respect and never deserving of any critcism. This softly spoken actress has apparently caused a violent response to her interesting opinion. The article goes on to say:

"Fan Web site www.maggie-gyllenhaal.net, which has no official links to the actress, said its server had been overloaded and crashed, a day after it was forced to take down a bulletin board due to the volume of critical messages being left on it.

"It's gotten too outta hand," the webmaster of the site wrote after earlier appeals for people not to send hate mail."

Poor Gyllenhaal had to then issue a statement saying she thought that 9/11 was a tragedy. She also said, "But for those of us who were spared, it was also an occasion to be brave enough to ask some serious questions about America's role in the world. Because it is always useful, as individuals or nations to ask how we may have knowingly or unknowingly contributed to this conflict. Not to have the courage to ask these questions of ourselves is to betray the victims of 9/11."

Well said.

Now, just a couple of disturbing points arising from this story:

- Don't Americans rant and rave about free speech, equal rights, and the right to question their government? Do these high principles only come with the condition: "If the opinion is the same as mine, and always makes my country sound like the good guy?"

Sometimes we do need to look inward and see what part we've had to play, even if accidental, in certain events. Gyllenhaal is just suggesting that America should examine its own role in events surrounding the horrific incident. I myself think that this examination is a very good idea, particularly if another incident is to be avoided! Why should a perfectly logical point of view be scorned? Isn't Gyllenhaal allowed to have her opinion, even if it did turn out to be wrong? And isn't she entitled to express that opinion?

- The poor webmaster. Why is it that these people who see their polished self identity coming under attack feel the need to "flame" a fan site, and send hate mail to an innocent fan? What good is that possibly going to accomplish? A less cowardly response would be to write to Ms Gyllenhaal, or to start an intelligent public debate in a chosen media. Wounded patriots seem incapable of a rational response. What a pity.