One Astronomer's Noise

In the town of TJ, aka Charlottesville, the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Speech gives out “awards” every year to those who have done their best to inhibit free speech. The Muzzle Awards were recently announced, and they were brought to my attention by Rick Sincere who blogs about it with a very good summary.

The Lifetime Achievement Award goes to

The Federal Communications Commission (earning only the second “Lifetime” Muzzle ever awarded) for its inconsistent and unpredictable standards for determining what constitutes “indecent” broadcasting.

My favorite, however, is

Scranton (PA) Police Department for charging a woman with disorderly conduct for screaming profanities at an overflowing toilet inside her own house.

Totally amazing. Some range from the ridiculous, like this one, to the thought-provoking. They all serve as a reminder that you do not have the right to restrict someone’s speech, just because it makes you unhappy.

Speaking of speech that makes some people uncomfortable, Richard Dawkins will be appearing on the new series of Dr. Who! I could nerd-gasm right now…