What IS Freedom of Speech?
May 31st, 2008 by CindyMany of you are wondering if I would comment on Saturday’s Record-Journal article on local blogs.
Well, it seems a Town Councilor has questioned the blog as a whole which is this persons right. Blogs are not newspapers, but when words are written, a certain amount of care has to be considered. It is true that most people in power do not like to be questioned. Actually, I could expand on that and venture out and state that most PEOPLE do not like to be questioned. That is a part of human nature.
I believe the original intent of blogs was to be like a diary of daily happenings in one’s life. Then they started to evolve into a semi-formal op-ed page. Now many blogs (not mine, because mine is a WEBSITE), have anonymous comments. I DO NOT ALLOW NOR HAVE I EVER ALLOWED ANONYMOUS COMMENTS!!
That is one exception I am taking with the Record-Journal article. The reporter seems to link me into a blog that allows anonymous comments which is misleading. However, if a town politico does not like certain verbiage, well guess what, I have had to take a lot of hits on the chin myself, and the biggest offender was someone from the TOWN who sent me what I believe they thought was an anonymous e-mail a few years ago. Hey, you people like to dish it out-then you need to take it!!
I mean, there are limits, but you know what-all is fair in love and war and believe me, I will defend myself and I have many times and will continue to.
I try to be careful, but sometimes people in power just do not like things said they don’t agree with. That is the nature of the beast. I don’t allow anonymous comments just so I can get more hits on my site. Believe me, I get more hits than most newspapers–why? Because I try to address ALL ISSUES in this town and others and I lay it on the line, plain and simple!! Not everyone should be writing a blog. Some people think because they are bloggers they are writers or journalists–wrong!!
I believe things in Cheshire have changed because more people are speaking out. If the people on the right don’t like what is going on, too bad!! Go lick your wounds because you won’t be seeing the light of day in this country for a long time!! The PARTY IS OVER!! Get used to it!! You are not the majority anymore!!
So, here are some interesting links to freedom of speech articles. Some are a little complicated, but I am sure you can get through it, especially you FOX NEWS JUNKIES on the RIGHT.
There are three links to three different articles:
Post Script: I received a few calls about the Record-Journal article and about the video I have posted where Michael Badnarik is speaking about First Amendment rights. Let me tell you, I made a living for many years and still do from the First Amendment. The United States Bill of Rights is one of the most sacred documents on this Earth. Millions of people have died defending these words.
Now Michael Badnarik hits it right on the mark when he tells his audience that freedom of speech is freedom of POLITICAL SPEECH!! Not Freedom of Character Assasination speech. Freedom of political speech: here is an example: “President Bush is an ASS”
OTHER EXAMPLES of POLITICAL SPEECH
“I don’t like the United States” (I DO LOVE THE U.S. I AM GIVING AN EXAMPLE). “I can’t stand the Town Manager and the way he governs the town. I think we should get a petition to throw him out”
Stating one’s political opinion against the way the country or your city or town is governed is PROTECTED under the First Amendment.
Speech not protected: Libel, Slander (defaming one’s character, making malicious false statements, etc).
Do you realize in many countries, today, in this year 2008, if I made a statement like I did above about the President, I would be arrested? Yes. That is the First Amendment.
And while we are at it, let us look at the Fourth Amendment which some entities here and in other places have forgotten about.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
GET IT–SOME POLICE DEPARTMENT? The RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT, of the people to be secure–SECURE!! in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against UNREASONABLE searches and seizures, SHALL NOT BE VIOLATED!! NOT BE VIOLATED!! NOT NOT NOT!!
This means, you know who P.D., that we DON’T stick our hand through the open passenger side window and reach in and open the glove compartment!!
This means we DON’T stick our heads through the driver side window to SEE IF SOMEONES HIGHBEAMS ARE ON!! SHALL NOT BE VIOLATED!!! NEVER!! And let us remember PROBABLE CAUSE when we go for a warrant!!
When I look at those words, I start getting emotional because this is dying. Our freedoms are dying!! If you try to defend these words today, some people look at you like you are crazy. It is sad.
Ok, enough for now. Remember “Photography by Gordon and Cindy Kleist” photo exhibit UPDATE: IS NOT IN THE MARY BALDWIN ROOM. IT IS IN THE MOSS ROOM UPSTAIRS ON THE SECOND FLOOR. THAT TINY ROOM OFF TO THE LEFT OF THE STAIRS. SORRY ABOUT THAT I GUESS THAT IS WHERE THE PHOTO ROOM IS.
I just can’t figure out why PHOTOS OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER, was in the Mary Baldwin Room, but now you know the main reason for Undergroundtownhall.
If you wish to purchase a photo, I will donate the money to your favorite charity. (Please, there will be a $20 minimum donation).
