Another Response to David's Blog

Yet another response to David. I could have just posted there, but...why? This makes for a decent entry for my own blog, so :-P

From David's Blog of Common Sense:

Ok lots of people say they can do certain things do to free speech. Homosexuality, burn flags, grose expressions of art.......But where in the world do they figure that is free speech? And why in the world does the Supreme Court rule it that way? Let's take a look at the first Ammendment shall we?

Amendment I - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Now I don't see where people get this free speech is free expression. I see Speech, which is the verbal, Press, which is the written, and Peaceably assemble, which is the physical. Where in the WORLD do they get free speech is equal to free expression?

That is completely incompetent and ignorant. And yes I am referring to the Supreme Court when I issue that statement. They should know that this was not our founding father's intent. How stupid have we become?

On one level, you are right. But there are certain things that the people should have a right to do, or at least not be told what not to do (if that makes sense). Like someone smarter than I (John Locke?) once said: "My freedom to swing my fist ends where your face begins." As long as something isn't hurting anyone, what's the big deal?

If anything, flag burning should fall under the right to peaceably assemble, since most people do that in a crowd and as a petition against the government.

As for art: art should be acceptable for the general public, as long as it is paid for by the people and in the public eye. If it is privately owned art, then that is a different matter altogether. Basically, anything goes as long as it is kept out of the public eye.

The same goes for homosexuality. You know that as a Christian, I think homosexuality is sin. But who am I to force one biblical principle upon someone else? The same people who complain about "the sins of the world" and want to punish those people are the same ones who are not being good stewards of the earth God has given us; and are the ones who are fighting and killing others because they don't believe the same as we do. That's hypocritical and pharisaical.

America has always been (supposed to be) a bastion of freedom - no matter what those freedoms are. When the government starts to take away certain freedoms, we start down a slippery slope and into a nazi abyss.

Response to David's Blog

"What really needs to happen is Castro just needs to pass on and then the country will become a democracy."

Who's to say that Communism or some form of it (ie, Socialism) isn't what is best for Cuba? Cuba has an excellant healthcare system, available to everyone. And the literacy rate is higher than here in the US - 98%, if I recall correctly.

Not to mention that (at least from my gleanings) the Bible appears to support a Socialist lifestyle. Jesus had his disciples give everything to the poor, then follow him. In Acts, the Apostles were collectively responsible for feeding the widows and orphans - not just those in the church, but in the entire community.

The same principle applies to Iraq. Yes, I agree that Saddam should have been taken out, but that does not mean that a democracy should have necessarily followed. The Iraqi leaders and Imams wanted a Theocracy, but President Bush forced the people to vote for democratic rulers. If anything, the people should have first voted for what type of government they wanted. If they wanted a rule by God through their established Imams, then so be it. The Koran has good teachings in it, like taking care of widows and orphans...now where have I seen that before?

Basically, I hate the current idea (which was also prevalent over 100 years ago with the Victorian Era) that the current basis of life and government is the ultimate and best you can ever do. This is especially true with the crap state that our "amazing, capitalistic" country is in now. Capitalism has led us to arresting people for taking pictures on their phones, US kids being wimps, throwing Chinese people in jail for free speech, Starbucks, higher tarriffs on Spock toys, a national ID law, no right to privacy, and doctors being PAID to drug us.

"There are too many other more important things going on in the world."

Agreed, but once again, our country is failing to notice them. Washington only thinks "Immigrants, Israel, and Iraq" instead of African Genocide and Aids, South American Genocide, People's Rights, Major Fighting in Mexico, and Chinese Suppression of religion and free speech.

still alive

I just wanted to post so the few people that read this know I'm alive and want this blog to stay alive as well.

Somthing Else was the biggest it has been in over a year now. Hopefully this year we will bring in a new crop of students - get a little fresh blood in there. We had 3 new people - that was really exciting! I guess because the 2 girls were very sanguine and fun-loving...kinda crazy-like, you know?

Jon is still talking about me doing more for the group. He says I could lead a small group, but what does that mean? The "large group" on Mondays are usually 5 people. I'm open to what God wants - pray for direction in this area.

Well, I'm off to bed for now. Good night!