Freedom of speech

Freedom of speech

In several discussions I have heard Americans referring to their own country as 'the best country in the world'. "At least we can give our opinion whatever happens. Freedom of speech is in our constitution", were points that were brought up more than once.

How true is this? Soon after the twin towers collapsed a list of 150 songs was distributed amongst radio stations. These songs were inappropriate apparently. And rightly so in some cases. It isn't difficult to know why people wouldn't want to hear AC/DC singing about a Highway to hell. Even Aeroplane by the RHCP and Learning to fly by Pink Floyd, even though fairly innocent songs, were on the list. Not strange either. But who decided that John Lennon's Imagine had to be on that list? Why is one of the best songs in history banned from radio stations? Could it be that the government didn't want the people to think about "all the people living life in peace"? Could it be that Bush didn't want "the world will be as one", happening sometime soon? Am I cynical if I think that by putting Lennon on the black list the real agenda of the government becomes clear.

Only a couple of days later I heard a story about the Voice of America that couldn't air an interview with one of the leaders of Afghanistan. "The people don't want to hear things like this in times like this", or something a long that way was the argument to ban the interview.

Wouldn't it be against the American constitution to ban it? What happened to freedom of speech?

Job

yesterday I had to cancel my lessons, because I had a second interview. Good sign, I had passed the first round, bad sign as they obviously weren't convinced I was the best of the candidates they had. I had to do a presentation, which was weird as it wasn't like a lesson I would give, but still that's what they should be looking at. Without visual aids or props I managed to completely let myself flow away from the points I had put on a note. I don't like speeches from paper, I prefer to go with the flow. It does look a bit more chaotic, but that happens to be my style. Decided not to change it, they should choose me for me, not for what I pretend to be.

A quarter of an hour ago I got a phonecall, they had called twice already during my classes, which hitherto turned out to be a good sign. They want me!

So, in about a month's time I will change schools and become a teacher in Tourism and recreation. For someone who has been working in the tourism industry for years and still is an avid traveler one of the best jobs to do I guess. At least I'm chuffed!

Got to tell everyone soon, including my current boss.