Freedom to say...Part 3

Part 1  Part 2

Eventually everyone makes a decision on what they believe regarding a divine being.  This belief is a part of who we are and how we live.  So when people disagree on belief systems, they are disagreeing on something more than just coffee or movie preference.  
We say we believe in religious freedom, but it seems when someone tries to exercise their right other people become offended.  Then people want to start putting limitations on the freedom—“you can say that unless I don’t believe it” or  “You can say it in your church or synagogue but not in the grocery store or in your kids’ schools” Where is the freedom in that?  Does separation of church and state only apply to church and not the state? 
On the surface, The Merry Christmas bill sounds great.  Schools have to give every belief equal representation.  I agree with this.
What bothers me there’s a law about this.  That tells me the state thinks it can dictate my freedom to express my beliefs.
Give the government an inch…they’ll try to control everything.  By making a ruling on what can or can’t be displayed in public spaces, the government has made a comment on what belief system it thinks is right and has therefore just infringed on the rights of its citizens, of which I am one. 
How do we define public places?  Stores are privately owned, yet states make nondiscrimination rules.  The same thing for amusement parks or museums.  The list goes on and on.  Will it come to the point where movie houses can’t show movies that mention religion?  Libraries won’t be able to loan books that discuss Islam or Judaism or other religions? 
If you really think about it, there can be no true separation of church and state as long as government at any level thinks it can pass laws restricting religious expression.  Any time a ruling body chooses to make a law on a belief system—what you can say, what you can teach, etc…--it makes a comment on which system it thinks is correct. And, putting it under the heading science instead of religion doesn’t make it any less a belief that takes faith. Science is not indisputable.  So beliefs based on science rather than religion don’t get a free ride.
As I said in Part 2—making a law against it won’t stop people from doing it.  I know what I believe.  I’d go to jail or worse before I’d refute it.  That’s how much faith I have in it. I agree that there are people with equal faith in their beliefs.  I’m willing to accept that. 
These days the buzz word is tolerance. Mere tolerance won’t cut it. Tolerance doesn’t seek to care or understand.  Tolerance treats others like a little child—“oh, that’s so cute, but they’ll know better when they grow up.” Eventually we get tired of putting up with it and so want to confine the expression to places we can’t hear it.
True belief in religious freedom says everyone can express their views everywhere and I can exercise my freedom not to agree.  Acceptance is what we need.  Acceptance based on love that sees the individual for the amazing complicated person they are. 
It all comes down to individual response and individual responsibility.  If we want to have the freedoms we have to accept that others have freedom as well.  If we keep crying foul every time we disagree, we’re going to find our own rights have been regulated away. 

Freedom To Say...Part 2

Free speech is meant to protect unpopular speech. Popular speech, by definition, needs no protection.

Neal Boortz

Part 1

My first thought when I read about the "Merry Christmas Bill"  was who's going to stop me?  Even if  it's against the law, I can still say Merry Christmas.   There would be consequences for it, but could someone really stop me?   Lawyers use that trick all the come when they follow a statement by a hasty "withdrawn."
My second thought:  Censorship and Word Bullies.  (ok, those are two thoughts)
 We don't get to pick and choose when it comes to freedoms, especially of speech.  To have freedom risks that we are going to hear things we don't like. We either accept this or it borders on Censorship. 
It also means people are going to say hateful, stupid things.  That's their right.  Let them.  It makes them look as stupid as their words. 
The Freedom remains true even if the people act like morons. 
Stand Up to Word Bullies
Sticks and Stones--words hurt, but I'm the one who lets them control me.   
Most of the time it just makes me sad when people say mean things.  I'm know myself and my beliefs so am not threatened by what you say.  In fact, other views challenge me to exam my own ideas.  This is not a bad thing, but it does take confidence. 
The thing is, laws and governments don't make people get along;  some laws cause even more divisions.  Like Nietzsche said, interpretation is a function of power, not truth. Law can  impose consequences.  There will be people who believe their right is worth the price--including torture and death.
Even in America where we're so tolerant and free* there's divisions, anger, and even physical harm because of words. To stand up to these bullies isn't easy, especially when you're going against the majority. 
A part of Freedom of Speech is Freedom to Respond.  I can retaliate out of anger and hurt. Or I can respond out of Love and Respect. 
It takes individual responsibility to break the chain--just one person saying "No, that's not true."  or "No, I'm going to choose not to continue this." is what it takes.  Sure, you may just be planting a seed, but someone else waters it, etc....
Everyday I hear things that are hurtful--things said to me, things said to other people, things I've said.  At the end of the day, I'm responsible for me. I'm the one who controls me.  When other people or circumstances are in charge it's because I let them. 
My response is to not be the victim. I can't make people like me. I can't make people only say nice things.   I can't make them accept me.  And there may come a day when what I say or do lands me in prison--I hope not but anything's possible.
But I retain power over my heart, mind, thoughts.  These are places others can't get into unless I let them.

TBC Tues/Wed--Part 3

*note:  yes, I'm being sarcastic if you didn't get it. 

Freedom to Say....Part One

All things are subject to interpretation; whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.

Friedrich Nietzsche

After a long hiatus from blogging, I have returned. 
Why return now?  I wrote out all these cool reasons—having something to say, having a presence—
But the truth is, I have this guilty conscience regarding my derelict blog.  I’m surprised nobody has reported me yet to the blog housing commission for my grass being tall and the shudders falling down.  I haven't been a good blog-owner. 

It’s easy to be lazy, making excuses like I was working, writing, living.  I've got many things to say, but just haven't taken the time to write them. 
Then I came across this article online:  Merry Christmas Bill
I had to look around:  chicken snake, squirrel, American flag—yeah, still in Louisiana. 
I realized I better get on exercising my rights while speech is still free here. 
What better way than to start with talking about freedom? 
The ruling on the bill went in a direction I agree with, but what if it hadn’t?  Would we be arresting Kindergarteners?  Or would their parents be held responsible? 
One group tosses out freedom of speech.  One group says freedom of religion also means freedom from religion.  Both sides want to debate the points.
But the real question should be this:  do we really want the government making laws regarding this? 
To be so offended you have to include authorities is risky to your own rights.  It’s nice when the ruling power likes you.  But what if they decide they don’t?  I’m sure many religious people see this as a victory, but as for this Christian—It scares me that the legislature felt it could rule on an issue like this. 

I can say I truly believe in freedom when I allow that others will disagree with me and still be my friend. 

I was going to write more, but this seems to have put me in a mind to watch Fahrenheit 451. The cool thing is I'm watching it on VHS.  Remember those? 

TBC in Part 2 Tomorrow...

 

 
 

Why I love Valentine's Day

What could be more capitalistic than to create a holiday in order to sell your product?  Think it doesn’t exist?  Google the term “Hallmark holiday.”  Many call Valentines’ Day one of these days. 

“No, not true,” say the romantic naysayers.  “Valentine’s Day is for lovers and only losers with no romantic liaisons rain on Valentine’s Day.  Those people are Valentine Scrooges, Grinches with no heart. “

Now, I’m the first to admit I love the sappy, sweet cards accompanying ten caret diamonds, but no matter what your personal reason for celebrating Valentine’s Day, the broader picture is that it’s a testament to American Capitalism.  Ask any man who’s serious about keeping his relationship.  The more you buy the better lover you are.

Let’s think about it for a second using a popular Valentine present:  the bracelet. First, there has to be freedom to own the materials for the jewelry; then business is done with the jewelers. The jewelers work with packaging companies to create boxes and bags unique to their store—i.e. Tiffany Blue.  Then the ad agency has to market the jewels. And, most important, there has to be freedom of speech and free enterprise to produce and distribute the advertisements and the products.   Last but not least, the public has to be convinced they can’t live without the product. 

Each February 14 we see the effectiveness of the marketing campaigns.

I tried to find the origins of Valentine’s Day, but all I found were disagreements.  We may not know if Valentine’s Day is to celebrate a martyred saint, a sex lottery commemorating a Roman goddess, or just the results of hack writers trying to sell a few poems, but we know one thing for sure: Americans will make money off it.

Normally I’m not a big fan of Valentine’s Day.  This year though, when many of my freedoms are being threatened, I find comfort in the myriads of commercials telling me not only how to buy the key to finding that special someone, but what I should buy him when I find him. It reminds me I still live in a free country. 

This year instead of making fun of Valentine’s Day, I’m going to embrace it.  I’m going to buy myself the biggest, prettiest roses I can find, and maybe a bracelet or at least a box of chocolates.  I won’t push the mute button when Jane Seymore talks about her Open Heart collection. 

What’s the story behind my open heart?  It’s a story of chocolates that increase my weight and cholesterol; of jewelry that puts me into debt; of sappy cards that go into the recycle bin a week later. It’s goofy plush animals and expensive lingerie that only looks good on 0.1% of the population. It’s lowered self-esteem if you don’t get the fanciest flowers.  It’s a story of companies creating holidays to sell products.

Most important, it’s the stories of capitalism and freedom that make it all possible.

I   LOVE   AMERICA! 

Remember Freedom?

Today is Veteran’s Day, the day when we remember those who serve to protect America’s freedom.  They sacrifice time, family, money, physical and emotional security, and their lives to protect our borders, our coasts, our interests abroad.   Our soldiers don’t fight for one particular race, religion, gender, or political party.  They fight for Americans.  They fight for all of us to be free.   

We talk of the bravery of soldiers as if they were different than us.  But what we have to remember is our soldiers are our neighbors, our friends, our sons and daughters.  Our husbands and wives.  They are American citizens just like us. 

We should honor them not by putting them on a pedestal, but by working alongside them, keeping America free on the home front, and thus giving them validation that their sacrifices are not in vain.

Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.  From the American Crisis—Thomas Paine.

We need to stand up for everyone’s rights, not just the groups with power or the groups we like.  We can’t be afraid to be politically incorrect.  We need to speak with love, but still hold to truth.  We have to have the courage to stand by our convictions, but the grace to respect those against ours.   Our forefathers broke away from dependence.  Our soldiers have fought for it.  Let’s not become enslaved to tyranny again.

If you want to honor the Veterans don’t just tell them thank you. Cherish the freedoms they give us. 
Don’t buy into “I can’t,” or “nobody will help me.” Don’t whine about how life isn’t fair.  Do something to change your life.  You live in America.  Don’t let anyone tell you “You can’t do that.”  Don’t believe someone who says you shouldn’t.  That should spur you to want to prove them wrong.  It’s in our American Spirit.

And never believe it when someone tells you it’s free. 

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--  (from the Declaration of Independence.)

There’s no guarantee in the Constitution that we will be happy. But we should never give up the power to pursue success.  It’s the American Dream.  It’s why people break into our country, not break out.

Every day should be Veteran’s Day because every day we should hold sacred our rights as American citizens.  We should do everything we can to not lose them. 

The last line of the Declaration of Independence is this:  And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.  That’s how much our forefather’s believed in freedom.  That’s what our Veterans are willing to pledge.  That's what our leaders today need to pledge.

What am I willing to give for freedom?  What are you? 

links to documents:
Declaration of Independence
The American Crisis

 

Living the Dream

I've been busy these past few weeks living the American Dream: home repair and improvement.  I mowed my grass on July 4th.  I look at it now and it already needs mowing again.  (audible sigh)  I needed to clean the drain in my bathroom and when I went to unscrew the joint the pipe broke.  It had rusted out.  My house was built in the 1950's and I think that's the last time anybody did something with the pipes.  And, if you've read any of my previous posts, you'll also know that I've had to build a new storage shed and patio area.  It finally is almost finished.  Home ownership is a responsibility.  I certainly could complain, but I'm not. 
This week we celebrated America's 236th birthday.  Now, 236 is young for a country.  We're older than our friends to the north, but across the Pond they have a few years on us. 

 

I'm actually sitting on the swing right now
typing and watching the sunset.   

236 years is plenty of time for thousands to have died so I could get in my truck, run to the hardware store for parts and gas station for fuel, fix my pipe and mow my grass and then take a nap in my hammock.  And I don't have to worry about the authority coming onto my property and arresting me or taking things without either my permission or a good reason written in a warrant. 
I'm grateful for those who fought to give me these freedoms. 
Doesn't leave much room for complaining. 
And yet people do. 
That's another good thing about America.  We have the freedom to complain. 
I have to say I'm happy with my little piece of America. 

I will leave here with my homework poem for Tuesday night.  This week has made me patriotic.


Self-Portrait of an American Woman
My hair is red, my skin is white, my eyes are blue.
My appearance is Irish, my name French
My people came from both those places and many more
 They came by ship, they came by wagon
They came voluntarily and by force.
They fought to form a country
where people could be free.

By birthright I am an American.

My parents were born in Texas.
Their parents were born in Texas, Louisiana, and Illinois.
I was born in Texas, as were my brothers.
I went to grade school in Texas,
 graduated from high school in Louisiana.
I went to McNeese State University
and the University of Texas.

I was made in America.

I went to college compliments of the state of Louisiana
 and repaid her by caring for her children.
I own my home, mow my grass, pay my bills.
I complain about how much a single person is taxed
and pay it gladly for the right to complain.
I protest tyranny, injustice, and the lunacy of the government,
then exercise my right to vote against it.

I earn my right to be an American.

I don’t know the depth of sacrifice
American soldiers pay daily for me to live free,
but I do everything I can to live worthy of it.
I will forever proudly say
I am not Irish-American, nor French-American,
nor African-American nor Japanese-American,
nor any other nationality that exists.

I am simply American.