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November 26, 2007 at 21:34:12

Is Freedom of Speech for Everyone?

by Barbara Peterson Page 1 of 1 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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I do a lot of research on the Internet, and in so doing, run across a lot of left and right wing sites. One thing I have noticed is that there are people on these sites that have one thing in common, although they would beg to differ. This commonality is intolerance for viewpoints not in line with their particular ideology.

So I ask, does freedom of speech only count when you are the one speaking, or does it apply to others as well? Does a person who expresses a differing opinion merit being labeled a troll or other sub-human species? Is it okay to engage in the same type of personal slander those we in the so-called “progressive” community accuse others of? By resorting to such tactics in our exchanges with others, have we become that which we despise?

If we cannot act civilized when others disagree with us, then we are no better than the ones we accuse of using smear tactics instead of facts. Name-calling not only alienates the victim of the attack, but also degrades the one who has resorted to personal attack rather than reason. Personal attacks also reduce the attacker’s credibility and in most instances, stop cold any reasonable conversation. I do not know about anyone else, but I learn from my exchanges with others who think differently than I do. If all I do is preach to the choir, I limit myself.

I felt compelled to share this - not to alienate others, but to bring to light something that is important, especially this day and age. Freedom of speech is a two-way street. If you want the freedom to express your opinion, you must grant it to others as well.

Barbara H. Peterson is retired from the California Department of Corrections, where she worked as a Correctional Officer at Folsom Prison. She was one of the first females to work at the facility in this classification. After retirement, she went to college online to obtain a Bachelor's degree in Business, and graduated with honors. The most valuable thing she received from her time with UOP was a realization that her life's passion is writing. Now her business degree sits in her desk drawer, and she counts herself in the category of Writer/Activist. Someday she will make money writing, but that is not why she does it. "I do it because I must. A driving force compels me to reach out to others with what I learn about the condition we the people are in, and that is what I devote my time to. After all, time is the most precious thing we have, and the older I get the more I want to use it wisely." Barbara lives on a small ranch in Oregon with her husband, where they raise geese, chickens, Navajo Churro sheep, Oggie Dog, a variety of cats, and an opinionated Macaw named Rita. She believes that self-sufficiency and localization of food sources will be necessary to survive the coming depression. To this end, she has put up a website to share information at: http://survivingthemiddleclasscrash.wordpress.com. Her philosophy is this: You are on this earth for a reason - to fight for the light. Your words are swords that penetrate the darkness with truth and light. You have a purpose.