Yesterday, The Gratitude Campaign posted a request on Facebook asking people to share the aspect of freedom for which they are most grateful. Surprisingly, one popped immediately to my mind--usually I have too many favorites of things like this for any one to stand out. I mean, how in the world do you prioritize the rights to freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom to be as stupid as you want as long as you don't hurt anybody?
Then, this morning, I was over at Lowering the Bar and saw this shocking bit of succinct reporting:
"Blogger: restaurant's food was "too salty." Owner: You have slandered me. Judge: Go to jail for 30 days and pay this man $7,000. Blogger: I regret living in Taiwan."
Yeah. I don't regret having been born in the United States, where there's no danger of being sent to jail because you complained about poorly prepared food.
I thought it would be fun to have my readers share whatever most-cherished freedoms pop into their minds. You don't have to be an American to enjoy wonderful freedoms, either, though I suspect if you share on this post, it's unlikely you live in Taiwan.
Here's what I wrote on FB yesterday on the Gratitude Campaign page.
"Freedom of movement. I drove to Maryland and back to Ohio without once having to show papers, stop at a checkpoint, show ID. I saw military vehicles and police along the way and felt pride and comfort in their presence, not a bit of fear or anxiety."
Your turn! Unlike on FB, however, here you aren't limited to a few lines. Write an essay if you're moved to do so. I'll read it.
Freedom of expression and to read freely. (For the most part, excluding Homeland security. THAT's an essay for another day!) Freedom to vote as I choose, without someone looking over my shoulder. Hooray for the US of A!
ReplyDeleteFreedom of the press, albeit oft abused I love that in this country (the UK) we really do have freedom to speak, I am cynical/realistic and realise that even the press are censored by
ReplyDeletea, their bosses/readership/government
b, the public taste/hunger for the truth
But I sincerely feel if there were an injustice we would at least find it exposed here, it may take longer to put right but we would hear about it.
Thank you for asking, it's refreshing to air my views, LOL Gay xxx
Whenever I think about our freedoms, I always come back to that phrase in our Declaration of Independence - the "pursuit of happiness". I don't think any other nation in the world has this right written into their official papers. It is such a simple, but powerful phrase and don't think if the Dec. of Ind. were written today it would make it. We have the right and freedom to be happy.
ReplyDeleteWow--one thing you said really resonated with me, that when you saw the military and police officers you felt pride and comfort, not anxiety. I think that's exactly what I'm most grateful for in our free country--that we do not fear the police or military, that we think of them as "serving," that I do think they will protect and help us. I'm also very grateful to be able to go to church openly and freely.
ReplyDeleteFreedom of speech; freedom of movement; freedom of thought; freedom to write whatever I want; freedom to deride our government (no matter who is in 'power').
ReplyDeleteNot always absolutely sure whose side the police are on and, certainly here in the UK, when the police do something wrong they get away with it. Too many people pull the police strings and they forget who pays their wages. I am far too cynical of the politics that govern the police but very much hope that the service personnel (army, navy, airforce) would never work against the people of their country.
Freedom to be whomever I want to be (as long as I'm not hurting anyone else); freedom to worship where and when I want; freedom to be a woman without having to wear anything on my face, head, body, and not having to walk behind my husband or any other man (not meaning to sound like a feminist); freedom of speech, to carry a gun, or own my home. I'm proud to be an American and I would not want to live anywhere else.
ReplyDelete