by Free Expression Network

About the author: The Free Expression Network is an alliance of organizations dedicated to protecting the First Amendment.

Editor’s note: The following viewpoint is a petition by the Free Expression Network entitled “An Appeal to Reason.” It was written in mid-1999 in response to the “Appeal to Hollywood” petition that is also reprinted in this chapter. The Free Expression Network’s petition has been signed by organizations such as the National Coalition Against Censorship and the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression. Individuals can sign the petition via the Internet at www.freeexpression.org.

Recently, a group of prominent Americans, including current and former public officials, issued a statement decrying violence in entertainment that they called an...