Issue Might the exercise of free speech harm our country? Starter Part I: "Words are ammunition. Each word an American utters either helps or hurts the war effort. He must stop rumors. He must challenge the cynic and the appeaser. He must not speak recklessly. He must remember that the enemy is listening." Government Information Manual for the Motion Picture Industry, Office of War Information (from World War II) Part II: "Award for Careless Talk" WWII Poster (1944) From the Northwestern University Library Focus Questions What do you think is meant by the phrase "words are ammunition"? The information manual for the motion picture industry states that each American has a duty to "challenge the cynic and the appeaser." Is there an appropriate role for questioning, skepticism, or dissent in the midst of a war effort? If so, what would that role be? If not, why? The "Award for Careless Talk" poster cautions against speaking of troop movements, ship sailings, and war equipment. In our current struggle against international terrorism, are there topics that you think should be similarly "off limits"? Why or why not? Suggested Resources Linda Chavez, "Here's what Hollywood can really do" Testimony of Attorney General John Ashcroft before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, December 6, 2001. Includes admonition "to those who scare peace-loving people with phantoms of lost liberties" that their tactics "give ammunition to America's enemies, and pause to America's friends." CNN.com, "White House sees Hollywood role in war on terrorism," November 8, 2001 More resources for this topic Starters for this topic: 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  All (.pdf) Note: The views expressed here have not been approved by the House of Delegates or the Board of Governors of the American Bar Association, and accordingly, should not be construed as representing the policy of the American Bar Association, nor do they represent the official position or policies of the ABA Standing Committee on Public Education.