Inalienable rights.
As we honor the dead tomorrow on Memorial Day, I wanted to write in regards freedoms that are on the brink.
The first amendment guarantees right to practice religion, of which I have often written. While it does not allow the US Congress to establish a religion (like the Church of England), it does not prohibit states from supporting, through collection of taxes, various denominations. Does that surprised? Shouldn't be. It also allows for the free exercise of religion. That is the first right guaranteed by the first amendment, followed by speech, press, the right to PEACEABLY assemble, and the right to petition the government for the redress of grievances.
While I feel that Edward Snowden should be punished for revealing government secrets, I find it odd that the head of the NSA, who perjured himself before Congress, by saying that such a program didn't exist, until it was found out that it did, has had no charges against him, and was not forced to resign. The Patriot act, which was, and still is defended by establishment Republicans, is set to expire. Those who stand against that re authorization are few, and with a looming holiday week, an annoyance to the powers in charge. Who is willing to do that? Senator Rand Paul, R-KY, and Ron Wyden, D-OR had an information discussion to explain why to not do the extension. Their use of time prohibited the clean extension from going forward, and has rendered the establishment impotent.
Speech is no longer universally defended and protected in this nation. Our universities have become indoctrination camps, where those that teach are overwhelmingly biased progressives, and there is little tolerance for diverse opinions.
The press has already had a chill put on it, by the administration, investigating reporters that are trying to do their jobs. Not just those at FOX, but the NYTimes as well.
As these rights are eroded, what are we doing? Those in the establishment would rather that there be a fight between left and right, and quietly steal those rights, rather than all respecting the rights of all. Gay marriage is the chief among these issues currently, but will not be the last. Rather than allow people to do what they want, as long as you don't force me to do something I don't want to do, we pit citizens against citizens. I don't care what you do regarding gay marriage as long as you don't tell me I have to accept it. I don't force you to join my church, and you don't force my church into violating its tenets. See? Free exercise. You don't blame me for drawing Mohammad cartoons, instead of the terrorists, and I don't point out your hypocrisy for condemning me about the cartoons as you exit the broadway musical "The Book of Mormon" or shove the so called art of a crucifix in urine in my face and tell me that it is your right to express yourself.
As we allow our rights to be surrendered, we mock those who paid the ultimate price for defending freedom. Shame on us.
The first amendment guarantees right to practice religion, of which I have often written. While it does not allow the US Congress to establish a religion (like the Church of England), it does not prohibit states from supporting, through collection of taxes, various denominations. Does that surprised? Shouldn't be. It also allows for the free exercise of religion. That is the first right guaranteed by the first amendment, followed by speech, press, the right to PEACEABLY assemble, and the right to petition the government for the redress of grievances.
While I feel that Edward Snowden should be punished for revealing government secrets, I find it odd that the head of the NSA, who perjured himself before Congress, by saying that such a program didn't exist, until it was found out that it did, has had no charges against him, and was not forced to resign. The Patriot act, which was, and still is defended by establishment Republicans, is set to expire. Those who stand against that re authorization are few, and with a looming holiday week, an annoyance to the powers in charge. Who is willing to do that? Senator Rand Paul, R-KY, and Ron Wyden, D-OR had an information discussion to explain why to not do the extension. Their use of time prohibited the clean extension from going forward, and has rendered the establishment impotent.
Speech is no longer universally defended and protected in this nation. Our universities have become indoctrination camps, where those that teach are overwhelmingly biased progressives, and there is little tolerance for diverse opinions.
The press has already had a chill put on it, by the administration, investigating reporters that are trying to do their jobs. Not just those at FOX, but the NYTimes as well.
As these rights are eroded, what are we doing? Those in the establishment would rather that there be a fight between left and right, and quietly steal those rights, rather than all respecting the rights of all. Gay marriage is the chief among these issues currently, but will not be the last. Rather than allow people to do what they want, as long as you don't force me to do something I don't want to do, we pit citizens against citizens. I don't care what you do regarding gay marriage as long as you don't tell me I have to accept it. I don't force you to join my church, and you don't force my church into violating its tenets. See? Free exercise. You don't blame me for drawing Mohammad cartoons, instead of the terrorists, and I don't point out your hypocrisy for condemning me about the cartoons as you exit the broadway musical "The Book of Mormon" or shove the so called art of a crucifix in urine in my face and tell me that it is your right to express yourself.
As we allow our rights to be surrendered, we mock those who paid the ultimate price for defending freedom. Shame on us.
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