The Public Forum

[JohnnyLingo]

Since this seems to be a source of contention over on CB, I thought I'd throw it out over here.

Is there any difference between the kid who privately decides not to go on a mission and the one who announces his intentions on TV?

To me, the first kid has done nothing to warrant being discussed in a public forum.

The second threw his hat into the ring, so to speak, and is therefore under more scrutiny than the average kid.

Weigh in here.

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by JohnnyLingo

Is there any difference between the kid who privately decides not to go on a mission and the one who announces his intentions on TV?

No.

[All-American]

I think we should "be able" to comment on such things, but we should not comment on those things. Self moderation.

[JohnnyLingo]

No.

So you don't feel that expressing yourself on live television should open you up to more attention?

[Alkili]

Originally Posted by JohnnyLingo

So you don't feel that expressing yourself on live television should open you up to more attention?

I think that the media sometimes asks unfair questions in order to get rateings, and the kids don't always understand that they are being used.

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by JohnnyLingo

So you don't feel that expressing yourself on live television should open you up to more attention?

Oh there's more attention, but I think the public reaction shouldn't be any different. IMO, the public reaction to a guy going or not going on a mission should be very muted because it's none of our damn business.

[cougjunkie]

According to Sione, Stanley has not left the house, talked on the phone, or surfed the web since his decision. He also said he may serve mission whether it is with USC or not. SO who knows what will happen.

[realtall]

Originally Posted by JohnnyLingo

So you don't feel that expressing yourself on live television should open you up to more attention?

I think 'should' is probably the wrong word to use. The public questioning of Havili's decision to go to USC and his attached decision to (apparently) not go on a mission was an inevitable consequence of announcing both in such a publicly accessable manner(tv).

He shouldn't have been in front of a camera at all.

[DrumNFeather]

It speaks to the whole public figure vs. private figure discussion that you often hear come up when talking about libel or slander...Stanley put himself out their for public comment...should we go overboard with that? No, but should we be allowed to share our personal feelings on a given subject, absolutely. (so long as what you say has merritt and is not in any way meant to harm the individual in question.