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Wednesday, July 4, 2012 | 2:03 a.m.
Whatever happened to the idea published by Evelyn Beatrice Hall in her book, “Friends of Voltaire” (circa 1906), in which it states, “I disapprove of what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it”?
Today, it seems you will be personally attacked if what you say disagrees with what someone else believes. As Americans, we embrace the idea of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But liberty does not mean license. The Bill of Rights endows us not only with rights and freedoms, but corresponding obligations and duties.
Freedom of speech does not just mean expressing our opinions, but allowing others to express theirs, listening, respecting their beliefs and engaging in civil discourse, even if we disagree. It does not entitle us to slander and condemn those who hold a different opinion. Our country seems to have lost that idea, and that is why we are so polarized. Everyone is yelling, no one is listening or keeping an open mind, and so it makes compromise impossible. We are in political gridlock. Nothing is getting done.
Patriotism is being used for political purposes, not as an inspirational way to unite us. We have gone from burning the flag and chanting, “Hell no ... we won’t go,” to waving the flag and proclaiming the motto “Support our troops.” Those who wrap themselves in the flag are not necessarily patriots.
Another constitutional right and duty is that of voting. Many Americans have died to secure that right, so why do so few exercise this freedom?
Of more concern, many people are either uninformed or misinformed on the issues and candidates, so they do not vote wisely. Later, both non-voters and uninformed voters complain that the country is not being managed the way they wish.
A democracy will not last unless it has an educated populace, and self-government without self-discipline will not work. It requires reading something besides novels and listening to more than just one radio or TV news station.
Communicate with your elected officials and let them know your opinions. Frequently, I hear, “We’ve got to take our country back.” Maybe we do. But you, ladies and gentlemen, are our country. It is all of us, including the people who disagree with you. All of us need to look at ourselves and determine how we can take ourselves back to being good citizens and true Americans. Then, the country will be back. The bottom line is that being an American means more than just proclaiming so. It means being a good citizen and doing what is good for your country, not just for your own selfish agenda.
Today, I am going to fly the flag, celebrate my right to freely assemble with friends and discuss any topic we want, from politics to how long the burgers should stay on the grill. We may even disagree, but we will understand one another, be civil and remain friends. I am also going to get out my album from Vietnam and remember the comrades whom I lost there, who secured for me the life I have lived and enjoyed as a true American.
Very well said!
Right or wrong, my country. If right support her. If wrong, make her right!
God bless the USA.
CarmineD
IN DIVERSITY, SHOULD THERE BE NO CHOICE, THE ONLY OPTION IS CONFLICT
Traditionally, when I was younger, I always made it a point, without fail, that on at least the 4th of July holiday, I would sing in a public forum, "What A Wonderful World". In the lyrics of this song, the subliminal message is, to love life. There are trees of green, red roses too. There are skies of blue, and clouds of white, beautiful rainbows, and you can even choose to love each bright blessed day, or even the dark sacred night. Nature gives each of us the choice to truly love what is closest and dearest to our heart. As a nation, when we have choice, we see friends shaking hands, saying how do you do, and then we all know they are really saying that I love you. And we think to ourselves, what a wonderful world this is.
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/son...
But when there lacks choice for a diverse population, trouble on the horizon is sure to come about. I once had a good rapport with a gentleman in this Las Vegas Sun discussion forum. His name was "Joe". But, all the good went away and the personal conflict escalated into a regular brutal exchanging of words in expressing our anger towards what we both now see as neither one of us having choice to select what is best for us in our life.
Joe, from his youngest of years, should have had the choice to pick President Obama's "Affordable Health Care Act". It is what would have been right for Joe. If this had been so, Joe's world would have been wonderful. On the other hand, for me personally, President Obama's Affordable Health Care Act would not have been good for me in my past, or in the present. I've been angered for years that I was never given the choice to "opt-out" and not pay into Medicare.
Here is my point; Joe and I should have never been doing battle. The simple solution would have been that our politicians would be working in the best interests of all Americans, a diverse America. It's not so difficult to accomplish. Just provide "choice".
We do have choice in many aspects of our lives. This is why America is still a great country. But, can any of us imagine being told to go to church? What career to select? What partner in a relationship we shall select? Although this list is long, any one legislative mandate that does not provide choice is a sociological bomb just ticking towards the time of explosion.
Remember, choice in the America of today promotes reconciliation from past wrongs and omissions and stimulates harmony in present day. This could be a wonderful world that we live in.
Gene, Who among us could argue with what you wrote and expressed about our country. Some how It seems we have lost our way. But I feel with people such as yourself and millions of other Americans we will turn our country around and make it whole once again.Thanks to all of our dedicated military personnal,and all the true patroits of our great country.
Where we come apart is when we become judgemental about each other's motivations. When we accuse those holding opposing views of wanting to destroy the country or being traitorous, we're making judgements about their motives that have no basis.
We all have a right to our opinions (not our own facts) and, while I'll often point out hypocrisy when I see it, I don't question opposing views as being sincerely held. That said, I wonder if we really don't need two countries (or perhaps more) to satisfy our widely divergent views of what our country should look like and what its future course should be.
Mr. McGrath,
Wow, what a beautiful letter; so true; so eloquently expressed.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write your letter.
Have a wonderful day!!!!!!!!!!!
Brad I believe I recall the day that you and "Joe" began the disagreement because I was also involved in those discussions. As I remember the topic was the war on drugs. As I remember I thought you were making an invalid comparison. I also agreed with "Joe" on his views and you attacked us both. The discussions when on into the night with all of us "exchanging" our views. I was very upset with these exchanges and allowed myself to get more worked up than I should have. I was upset because you and I were on the opposite ends of the discussion where we always on the same side before.
It was then I decided it was not worth getting my blood pressure up for things I cannot change. Since that time I comment very infrequently because of that night.
I have no problem when I am attacked by someone that differs with me ideogically but when I have such attacks from someone I consider on the same team, I must question myself.
Perhaps I have not properly remembered the way the discussion went. Perhaps "Joe" will read this and shed some light.
Sam and Jim thank you for your comments.
Have a wonderful day.
Great letter, thank you.
In reply to John Thompson; your post proves my point in my commentary above. You are correct on the night of the explosion between the three of us in the discussion room. It was on the subject of illicit drugs. Hmm, that is another subject of choice. However, as I previously stated, well before that explosion point Joe and I had trouble brewing on the horizon. Other important social and political issues of choice, unions, healthcare, teachers, environment, so forth and so on.
Hopefully, as it appears, Joe and I will be moving past those times. For either of us, it does not erase all the brutal comments and attitudes we had for each other. This just says, okay, let's attempt to level things out and mellow all the battles we had. This also says, Joe and I don't despise each other. We despise the lack of choice that surfaces these quarrels.
John, respectfully, if you are deciding to maintain "sour grapes" over that night, this is your choice. I choose to move beyond this whether you do or not.
Hey Guys, Joe, BChap, and John, why not call a truce and start where you left off before your disagreement.It would be wise to not mention that day and move forward.Life is short, and we need good commenters like yourselves. I probably should mind my own business, but it's worth a shot.
Bradley: Your driver's license is a mandate, your auto insurance is mandated, your mortgage insurance is mandated in the beginning, Selective Service used to be mandated, Your children have to get immunizations before they go to school-mandated, school is a mandate, taxes are mandated,
If you have a dangerous communicable disease, you are quarantined-mandated.
If you want to live without mandates find a cave and live as a hermit. If you and another hermit come into contact with each other and you both are disagreeable but pragmatic, the both of you will reach some sort of mandate.
BChap, John, and Joe:
I don't know you and may or may not agree with your political positions; however, I read BChap and John's post and I agree with Sam. Life is way too short. And sometimes when you don't expect it you are faced with life changing decisions. Sometimes you have the opportunity to make things right and sometimes you don't.
None of my business either, but it sounds like you both would like to put the past behind you and move forward. Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice post Vidi.
Have a nice day!
In reply to the "All Comments" section; I can differentiate between necessary mandates and those that should be voluntary in a free market / enterprise system. I surely will not pay any attention to a group of dodgy socialists.
FREEEEEEDUMB!
Divide and Conquer.
99.99% of Americans were against the Banker Bailouts, didn't matter.
We have plenty of smart Americans. We have more of everything. We are drowning in information, doesn't matter we still get to supposedly vote for basically IDIOTS.
I would submit all of it is window dressing. I would argue we have already lost our Republic. Look around does any of this look like the Will of the People? really?
The time for chit-chat ended years ago. That is why it seems so hostile now because we are way passed being talkative.
Thousands need to go to jail. Confidence in our structure must be restored and that will only come when we see REAL changes not hot-air from the mouths of paid shills like Obama. A man of such disappointment and embarrassment words fail me.
Americans have lost Confidence. We have been systematically gutted and liquidated. It has been done by brainwashing the masses to think Capitalism is holy. A system best left to running a garage sales, has become the default operating system for an entire society of close to 300 million. Little wonder so many things are so corrupt and broken, that is the nature of Capitalism. Course the fans of such are now in full defense of their crud and claiming it is the People's Government which is really to blame, really?
Mr. McGrath, excellent article!!!
"Another constitutional right and duty is that of voting. Many Americans have died to secure that right, so why do so few exercise this freedom?..."
This is a particular concern of mine, as well as what you continued to write about being informed.
This should be part of an ongoing citizenship class throughout a students education. It could also include learning how to read things and determine what is misleading.
Some feel there is a lack of choice, and that the two parties are not very different in the backroom deals and meetings.
I think it could be a benefit to do all possible to open up our political system to more than two parties. Additionally, other parties must progress so they are able to offer viable candidates for Federal and State participation. Just running someone for President won't due. They must be people running for Congress too.
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Jim Weber, "...I wonder if we really don't need two countries (or perhaps more) to satisfy our widely divergent views of what our country should look like and what its future course should be."
I agree. It may be the only way considering how things are going now, but a monumental task.