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	Vol.7, No 18, September 29, 1999
	Free speech still free Freedom of speech is one thing many take for granted.     The government does occasionally have the right to prohibit what we say or write, though.    But the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday two separate stories involving freedom of speech. One was about an art exhibit in New York and one involved the Klu Klux Klan.   In the art story, New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani said that the Brooklyn Museum of Art would loose its funding if it showed an exhibit with desecrated religious items, The Times reported.   First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton came to the defense of the exhibit.  She said that even though "there are parts of the exhibit that would be deeply offensive," the museum should not lose its funding.   The exhibit contains a painting of the Virgin Mary smeared with cow pies, a rendition of the Last Supper with a naked woman replacing Jesus among other things.   While yes these images may be offensive, there is no threat to national security, no compelling governmental concern or any solid reason to cut the museum's funds.    In the other case, the Klu Klux Klan was denied the right to purchase airtime a National Public Radio show.    While the station has the right not to sell the airtime, the government does not have the right to tell the station it canít sell the airtime.     We have to stand up for our right to express our opinions. We even have to stand up for dissenting opinions or else we lose a way to express ourselves.		5 men held for smashing windows Recent figures show CSULB enrollment keeps growing American-Indian remains wanted back Listening Lounge offers brain food Karate instructors teach basic self defense Senior U. teacher 1 of 35 chosen for space camp Free speech still free Bookstore prices outrage students Prof. angry about CFA story L.B. Symphony pleases despite various problems Big Wu comes up short LBSU out of tune Dolley rises from the depths Women's soccer coach experiencing growing pains in team's second season Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.