A Loos Blog

(click to see full size - no information is being gathered)

Freedom of speech 

The financial meltdown, bailouts and health care debate have had a great affect on this country; the number of people getting involved in the debate grows by thousands every day!   But, with freedom of speech we have to take the good with the bad.

We see and hear it every day. Racism, prejudice, an American flag on the ground burning, hateful angry rhetoric on both sides of the political spectrum.  What should we do? 

We should strongly denounce hate, passionately debate policy opinions, and quickly vote a person out office regardless of party if they do not represent us.  But, at no time should the right of a person to hold or express an opinion be oppressed.  That is not a slippery slope - that is falling off a cliff.   (I have been asked "what about yelling fire in a crowded theater?" That is against the law for public safety reasons and is not the same as debating an issue.)

Freedom of speech is the strongest cornerstone upon which this country was founded.  In every oppressed society the first right that is lost is the freedom of speech.  

How about this: hate and angry rhetoric exists best when it is given a forum.  Instead of keeping the haters in the sunshine, perhaps we should ignore and reject them into darkness.