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By Karla Pomeroy
Editor 

Karla's Kolumn - The cornerstone: freedom of speech

 

August 26, 2017



“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.”

I wonder if the Founding Fathers could imagine the current state of our country when they wrote the Constitution and selected freedom of religion, speech and press as the No. 1, the most important, right for the citizens of a brand new country.

I doubt they could imagine that people would use “freedom of speech” as a way to disrespect the country, the flag, the national anthem and each other.

I wasn’t there when the Constitution was written, but I believe, if I remember my history lessons correctly, they wanted people to be able to speak freely against the government, but notice what is also included in the First Amendment – the right of the people to peaceably (not violently) assemble.

I don’t believe the Founding Fathers ever imagined a country with such anger and hatred toward our fellow man. And there is a lot of anger out there as evidenced by violent protests that erupt almost on a weekly basis.

I don’t know where all the anger is coming from, but people are angry everywhere.

People apparently can no longer peaceably assemble to let their voice be heard, to give their opinion, because someone on the other side decides they must be silenced, sometimes at any cost. That’s not what the Founding Fathers wrote and that’s not what they intended.

Why can’t we let people have their own opinion, whether they be wrong or right. (Now granted, the Supreme Court has put a few caveats on the freedom, such as you don’t have the right to use speech that will harm someone, with the specific note you can’t yell “fire” in a crowded facility if there is no fire.)

People like to state that the country was founded on Christian principles. The country was founded on freedom principles. Our Founding Fathers didn’t want the government telling them what to believe, what or who to worship and what to read (freedom of the press).

So where is the anger coming from across the country? People have twisted the First Amendment to try to make it apply only to them. There’s the attitude with individuals and organizations that they have a right to free speech and freedom of religion, but if you disagree with them or don’t worship as they do then somehow they feel they can shut you down, by any means necessary.

That’s not what the First Amendment states. First, the First Amendment is granted to every citizen of the United States. Every citizen.

Second, I don’t believe that’s what the Founding Fathers envisioned, in fact, I believe it is quite the opposite.

Third, what is wrong with disagreement. If we all agreed, we’d all root for the Denver Broncos; purple would be our favorite color; we would worship the one true God; we would all stand for the national anthem, say the pledge and salute the flag.

Perhaps because I work for a newspaper, the First Amendment is near and dear to me and I support and defend it, peaceably.

Lately we have had a passionate and lively discussion on our opinion page regarding the existence or not of demons. For the most part people have been respectful when disagreeing and when stating their opinions.

The opinion page here on page four of the Northern Wyoming Daily News is intended to be a free exchange of ideas. I have published many letters since becoming editor, I haven’t agreed with all of them. I publish them because the First Amendment is important and I want people to have a place to freely (there’s that word free again) exchange ideas, thoughts and opinions.

We are all individuals and we live in one of the greatest country’s in the world (yes I do believe that and I believe it because of the First Amendment). We, as individuals believe differently, think differently. Our lives impact the way we feel and think. Our experiences influence our opinions.

My experiences are different than yours so my opinions are going to be different than yours.

But, guess what America. That’s OK.

With all the talk about America being the great melting pot and welcoming immigrants, we sure don’t want to welcome a free exchange of ideas. But in welcoming everyone to our country, we must welcome who they are, what they think and what they feel and we must recognize that that might not be the same way we think or feel and we must realize that is OK.

It’s OK as long as we allow the freedom of expression peaceably.

I know these few words won’t change the hatred and anger in our country. But perhaps the next time someone disagrees with you, you won’t get angry, instead you will welcome their opinion and just accept the fact that is different than your own.

I don’t want to live in a country where I have to think a certain way, believe a certain way, worship a certain way.

I want to live in America where I have choices, where I am free.

Freedom of speech, religion, the press and freedom to peaceably assemble — The First Amendment — is the cornerstone of our great and free country. Let’s not abuse the right that our Founding Fathers granted us and that so many have fought and died to protect.

Let’s agree to disagree, peaceably.

 
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