Comments on: Thesis. Antithesis. Synthesis. http://spokompton.net/2007/08/02/thesis-antithesis-synthesis/ Spokane politics at its best... Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:12:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Bill http://spokompton.net/2007/08/02/thesis-antithesis-synthesis/#comment-154 Bill Tue, 21 Aug 2007 16:13:22 +0000 http://spokompton.net/2007/08/02/thesis-antithesis-synthesis/#comment-154 Although a very literate post, I have to disagree with your synopsis this time. Freedom is simple enough to understand. It is the ability to think, express, and hope without threat of governmental retaliation. There is a definate and fine line that should not be crossed. There is an old addage that says something like, "Your rights end where mine begin". That is bunk. In order for true freedom to exist, there has to be no stipulation as to what is and what is not a right. Freedom of the press should be unfettered. Freedom of religion should be something less of a mandate than a personal choice. Freedom of personal expression is unmatched in all of these. If we can voice discontent, then we are truly free. However, all that happy stuff being said, we also have to realize that we are a people separated by numerous chasms of cultural and personal beliefs. As much as their beliefs disgust me, I must stand by my view that even jihadists, neo-nazi's, and the like have the right to feel how they feel. It is when those thoughts are put into practice that the government should step in. In the same token, nothing is free. Taanstaafl is my credo. There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch. Rights are protected only by those who do something proactive with them. Passive rights are not freedoms, they are chains. Although a very literate post, I have to disagree with your synopsis this time. Freedom is simple enough to understand. It is the ability to think, express, and hope without threat of governmental retaliation.

There is a definate and fine line that should not be crossed. There is an old addage that says something like, “Your rights end where mine begin”. That is bunk. In order for true freedom to exist, there has to be no stipulation as to what is and what is not a right. Freedom of the press should be unfettered. Freedom of religion should be something less of a mandate than a personal choice. Freedom of personal expression is unmatched in all of these. If we can voice discontent, then we are truly free.

However, all that happy stuff being said, we also have to realize that we are a people separated by numerous chasms of cultural and personal beliefs. As much as their beliefs disgust me, I must stand by my view that even jihadists, neo-nazi’s, and the like have the right to feel how they feel. It is when those thoughts are put into practice that the government should step in.

In the same token, nothing is free. Taanstaafl is my credo.
There Ain’t No Such Thing As A Free Lunch. Rights are protected only by those who do something proactive with them. Passive rights are not freedoms, they are chains.

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