On not so Free Freedome

One privileged we have in the West is the freedom of speech; the freedom to express ourselves however we want. Or really? Can we really say whatever we want on anything? Tariq Ramadan doesn't think so. In his short essay on the controversial Danish cartoons, he makes a claim on freedom of speech: it is not absolute; it is something that must be practiced with restraint. But then he goes on to say that we must do it through education of respect for others, and not out of reasonless censorship. We should restrain ourselves out of respect, rather then out of necessity. Ramadan thinks that it is easier and more effective to teach and enforce respect rather then making it a arbitrary law.
Now, Ramadan is completely right about our concept of freedom of speech. Our freedom given by the First should not be a go ahead to verbally trash anyone and everyone. Rather, it is a right to be able to say anything so long as it is supported by reason, respect, and responsibility for what one says. We should practice our freedom of speech as an opportunity to strengthen our ties with others, not to put them down. But I believe, in contrast to Ramadan, that we can use the law to promote it by using it as a deterrence from abusing free speech. Educating and informing people is good, but the law can also serve as a tool to promote respect as well. And not only would it promote the good practice of free speech, it would protect from those who choose to talk without respect, acting as a safeguard from those who choose not to show respect on their own. By this we can protect everyone's rights and promote healthier relationships among all people through both education and the power of the law.