What If?

As hard as it may be, pretend for a minute that you were being harassed, verbally abused or threatened by an on-line stalker.  How would you know if he (gender assumption) plans to do you physical harm or is just messing with your head?

You need help, advice, support.  This is not something that you or anyone you know can truly help you with.   Maybe it’s time turn to law-enforcement.

But hold on a second.  It’s not as easy as that.

The Supreme Court is considering giving HIM, your stalker, the right to continue to harass you.  HIS freedom of speech would be protected, under the First Amendment.  But YOU?  Well, you would have no power to stop him unless you can prove he intends physical harm.

When I first read about this, I was sure I had misunderstood.  In fact, I hadn’t.  But the issue is a great deal more complex than I first considered it to be. 

No one should have to live under the shadow of constant threat and harassment. But freedom of speech is a bedrock of our democracy. In my opinion, something’s still wrong here but my opinion doesn’t count. What counts is the Court’s opinion. We’ll hope for a wise and thoughtful decision.