Freedom of Expression Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Freedom of Expression - Essay Example The Alien and Sedition Acts are landmark policies that aimed to curtail the freedom of expression. The Alien Acts pertain to the status of naturalization of aliens, extending the required years of residence from five to fourteen years. They also include the legalization of actions against aliens, such as giving the President or his administrative assistants, the power to deport aliens who are deemed as threats to the government. The Sedition Act of 1798 made it a crime for any person to make â€Å"any false, scandalous, and malicious† statement about the U.S. government, Congress, or President (Werhan 12). The Congress opposed the Sedition Act. Republicans argue that the First Amendment does not give power for Congress to regulate the freedom of expression (Werhan 12). They also emphasize that it prevented citizens from getting the information they need to vote their officials in and out the office (Werhan 12). This movement expanded the freedom of expression to closely reflec t the goals of the First Amendment and to protect the freedom of speech in relation to criticisms against the government.The Alien and Sedition Acts are landmark policies that aimed to curtail the freedom of expression. The Alien Acts pertain to the status of naturalization of aliens, extending the required years of residence from five to fourteen years. They also include the legalization of actions against aliens, such as giving the President or his administrative assistants, the power to deport aliens who are deemed as threats to the government. The Sedition Act of 1798 made it a crime for any person to make â€Å"any false, scandalous, and malicious† statement about the U.S. government, Congress, or President (Werhan 12). The Congress opposed the Sedition Act. Republicans argue that the First Amendment does not give power for Congress to regulate the freedom of expression (Werhan 12). They also emphasize that it prevented citizens from getting the information they need to vote their officials in and out the office (Werhan 12). This movement expanded the freedom of expression to closely reflect the goals of the First Amendment and to protect the freedom of speech in relation to criticisms against the government. The abolitionists used the freedom of speech to fight for the â€Å"immediate end of slavery† (Werhan 15). They formed organizations, held public rallies and meetings, and even directly advocated slaveholders, by sending them antislavery publications (Werhan 15). The abolitionists attacked slavery in the national media because they believed that by doing so, they could make the abolition of slavery as the primary agenda of the government (Werhan 15). The Southern slave states fought back by banning anti-slavery speech (Werhan 15). When the abolitionist, Presbyterian minister Elijah P. Lovejoy was killed by a mob trying to burn his warehouse, where he protected free press, it further fueled the fire for freedom of expression (Werhan 16). His death highlighted the urgency of protecting the freedom of expression as a right of all citizens, so that they may be protected against the infringement of civil freedoms.

The theme of loneliness in Methamorphosis by Kafka and Boo Radley in Essay

The theme of loneliness in Methamorphosis by Kafka and Boo Radley in To Kill A Mockingbird - Essay Example Both Lee and Camus demonstrate major societal conflict through their themes of loneliness as manifested in Boo and Meursault. Boo Radley is a recluse, a shy man who lives not far from the Finches but never ventures outdoors. A lot of mystery surrounds the actual facts of Boo Radley’s detachment from society and he becomes the subject of malicious rumors. One rumor has Boo Radley coming out in the dark of night and peering into neighbor’s windows. The rumors however are mere indications of society’s fear of the unknown and the low tolerance for those who do not meld or blend in with society. They become the objects of scorn and demonization. Meursault, like Boo is very much an outsider although he does physically blend in with society. Outwardly, Meurasult is an ordinary member of the community. He has an apartment, a job and a girlfriend. His detachment is founded on his mental and emotional distance. In one exchange with his girlfriend Marie, the reader understands the limits of Meursault’s ability to connect with another human being. Meursault is indifferent to his mother’s death and this indifference becomes problematic for him later on when he goes on trial for murder. Although the trial has a legitimate issue to try, Meursault is as much on trial for his non conformist attitude as he is for murder. It is Meursault’s departure from accepted norms that sets him apart as a loner and an outsider and this is why he like Boo is ultimately demonized by society. While the reader knows very little about Boo in the beginning chapters of To Kill a Mockingbird outside of rumors and myth, the reader is immediately introduced to Meursault’s indifference. The Outsider opens with the following observation by Meursault, the novel’s narrator: â€Å"Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don’t know. I got a telegram from the home: ‘Mother deceased. Funeral tomorrow. Faithfully yours.’ That doesn’t mean anything. Maybe it