Opinion / Religion -
January 25, 2021
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
What is freedom of speech? In youthful ignorance, I assumed it meant I
could say anything I wanted. While occasionally living with my grandma,
she forced me to understand a few of my words were unacceptable to the
audience surrounding me. Grandma used a switch as well as bar soap in my
mouth to create a filter system. But the number of words I couldn’t use
was limited and as time passed so was the severity of punishment.
However, if someone besides my immediate family had attempted to punish
me for some inappropriate word or phrase I said, the wrath of Grandma
would have left them with both physical and emotional scars.
Today we have an entire industry punishing citizens for thinking or
saying contrary thoughts. A famous newspaper owner, William Hurst, once
said, “I can’t tell people what to think, but I can sure as hell tell
them what to think about.” I have observed the constant, and perhaps,
orchestrated focus of the media in creating a single narrative on
important issues without allowing opposing views. The results of those
efforts frighten me.
Truthfully, I feel bewildered that so many American citizens have given
up their right to freedom of self-expression and even independent
thinking in exchange for the unrealistic promise of a more pleasant
future, where no one says anything unkind or offensive.
We, as citizens of Medicine Lodge, have been spared most of the
Machiavellian oppressions that much of our country has been suffering
(i.e., a California man arrested for surfing alone in the ocean). But
when organized groups have gained the power to control and punish any
citizen just for their thoughts or words which the group disagrees, our
constitutional rights should remain in effect no matter how dire the
temporary situation may be.
I believe what we need is about 150 million Grandmas like mine, armed
with switches and bars of soap to remind us all to tell the word/thought
police, “BUTT OUT.” I am an American citizen and I have the right of
free speech.
Although I know we are not allowed to yell fire in a crowded theater, I
believe we must peacefully resist any attempt by anyone, except Grandma
of course, to tell us what we can or cannot say or think. A professor
told me many years ago, there are no good or bad words, only good or bad
feelings associated with those words. And I have a really bad feeling
about being told to shut up. How about you?
Sincerely,
Don Vick - Medicine Lodge
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