in a democracy and free world, yes, it's about what the individuals think.
Maurice, I definitely agree that freedom, individualism, and democracy are in the ascendant, as you aptly stated...
But during times of conflict with an opponent who has NO regard for your concept of individual rights and freedoms, there are sacrifices to be made, especially with regard to what we should be permitted to know when the lives of our troops, or our military/political strategy are involved..
This nation fought WWII without CNN, or MSNBC blaring every bit of news out there. The news reporters of that period UNDERSTOOD that the only reason they had the right to work in their respective positions was because there existed nations who promoted the occupations (jouralism).. They certainly knew that Hitler had only contempt for them and their profession, unless it suited his purposes.
And during WWII, there was outright censorship of the American press... of letters sent home by troops deployed overseas, and monitoring of phone conversations. And it had to be that way because our freedoms make us naturally vulnerable to a ruthless enemy who seeks to take advantage of our openess.
But despite all the censorship, imposed or voluntary, this nation, and the entire world, emerged more free than it had been before the war. It existed in a world that permitted far more openess and divergent opinions.
So if you find your comments censored or moderated at times, be patient.. Just like a body that has suffered a traumatic injury, and is shutting down bloodflow to the extremities in order to protect the vital organs, this is temporary.. And we'll likely emerge from this even more free once these terrorist networks, and their ability to operate in their safe havens, have been eliminated.
And I also suspect there will be a renewed push to deal with the economic issues that have provided a fertile breeding ground for these terrorists.
No one's telling you that you can't think your thoughts, but be sensitive to the needs of the entire nation for unity of purpose and spirit during this period. There are far more things that unify us than divide, and we should be seeking those things out, rather than constantly harping on the divisive issues that will always be there.
Hawk |
