Before I step on my pulpit and shake my fists in a passionate rage, let me first introduce myself.
Hi. I'm Emily. Writer. Editor. Single Mom. Independent-Conservative. Christian. Film Buff. Trend-Spotter. Coffee Addict. Music Snob. And apparently I remind Matt of Jennie Garth, circa 1992. Nice to make your acquaintance.
Now that we've gotten that out of the way, let the rants begin.
Being a writer with a journalism background, I recall my old university professors pounding the importance of "1st amendment rights" into my college-aged brain. After all, I was studying to become a journalist - or as some may call it, "the enemy". I needed to know just how sacred my rights were as a writer, editor, speaker and now...blogger. I needed to understand the dynamics of Media Law and how even certain suggestive "websites" had every right to be up and running. With that said, I might not agree with what some leftists are writing, speaking or saying...but this is America: Land of the Free. And everyone has the right to voice their opinion.
So why do I feel like that freedom is slowly being taken away from me?
With the controversy surrounding the recent town hall meetings, it seems that some so-called "right-wing extremists" have ruffled the Obamabots' feathers. Picture, if you will, standing amongst a crowd of like-minded individuals with your sign protesting the universal health care plan. Then some moron in a brown shirt from HCAN (Health Care America Now) shows up and tells you to leave.
"No signs allowed," he says. "Oh, and see those folks over there from NBC...you can't talk to them. In fact, here...we're passing out masking tape for you people. Just place this over your mouth. Go stand over there on the sidelines next to the seniors, who aren't allowed to talk either."
This all fits in nicely with Barry's speech last week. You know the one I'm talking about.
The... "THEY need to stop talking and get out of the way, so we can clean up the mess!"...speech.
Oh come now, Barry. A little healthy debate never hurt anyone :)
But forget debate. This is about my 1st amendment rights. And not just mine. Yours too. Sure this country may be split in half, regarding all sorts of topics from health care...right down to abortion. But please don't take the mic away from us! Don't yank our bullhorns. Don' steal our signs either (which ARE NOT pro-swastika, thank you very much - Miss Pelosi).
Don't come near me with that masking tape.
And Barry, don't tell me to "stop talking". This is my country too.
Monday, August 10, 2009
No Mr. President, I will NOT be sporting masking tape over my mouth. It messes with my rights. And it totally doesn't match my dress :)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
4 comments:
Notice how you are able to get this blog out there into the public and military aren't knocking down your door? That's your 1st Amendment protection. A public town hall meeting where people running it want people to "shut up" does not merit the denile of 1st Amendment rights title. A President saying he wishes a certain section of the public would be quiet is not government censorship.
You are graious to say the least Jenny, I mean Emily. :) What is going on with The Obama Administration is a tragic irony directly from the morning soaps. He was elected because America loves the idea that a person from a once opressed people group can overcome all the way to the White House. You and I both know numerous folks that greatly disagree with his politics but voted for him anyway in celebration of Hope. How ironic and even bazarre that Mr. Hope would author and head up.....well, there is not enough room here to name all of the offenses. I "HOPE" we make it past these 4 years.
There's a difference between open debate and shouting over people. These are town hall meetings, not protests.
If you want to be taken seriously and get your voice heard, participate like everyone else.
Thanks for the comments guys. I respect each and every one of your opinions.
My point: as an American... no one should take away my right to "talk", even if it means I'm shouting. But this blog is not about the shouting matches that have been taking place at townhall meetings (which is unfortunate, believe me). It's about the fact that no one (including HCAN) should take away my sign or my ability to talk to mainstream media. That's what I'm fussing about here.
Whether I'm shouting or whispering is neither here nor there. The point is this... in America, we all have the freedom to express ourselves. If it gets out of hand...then bring in the cops because I also care about the safety of others. But if I'm standing there with my sign and trying to talk to the press...then that is my right. The same goes with liberals who picket against conservative movements (and yes, this has been known to happen a time or two). You have that right...and it should never be taken away from you.
Post a Comment