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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: rich4eagle who wrote (210265)	12/17/2001 12:49:58 AM
From: cAPSLOCK	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769670

What the government prints on its paper money should not promote a single view. I agree with you (!!!) in this circumstance we should stay generic. But what I say to a co-worker or even a client does NOT belong to the government. Although I would argue in favor of allowing an organization to set standards for it's employees, I believe that the right (and spirit) of free speech is of a far higher value than the 'right' not to be offended by someone else's beliefs... that is the most base form of censorship in my opinion. And I think the US Gvmt should LEAD the way in example of tolerance among it's employees by allowing people to express ideas and beliefs as long as they do not bring others into physical harm. Yes, religious beliefs are a taboo subject to some, and individuals should be considerate of other's feelings. But censoring people's right to free religious expression, especially within the casual limit of a holiday greeting, is INTOLERANCE. Forcing one to accept a culture of NO faith is tantamount to forcing one to accept a culture of any particular faith. Can't you see that? True tolerance would celebrate diversity, and INCLUDE the majority opinion along with all others. No one is going to hold a gun to your head and force you to say "Merry Christmas". No one is even able to force you to like to hear it. But you can, for the very spirit of our culture tolerate another's differing beliefs. Think about this: The war in Afghanistan against terrorists is foremost an act of retribution for the most heinous act committed against our nation by an outside group. But secondarily it is to bring the exact sort of freedom that we defend here to the people in whose land our enemy has removed these freedoms. Do you see Americans going around taking off women's burkas? No. You see us enabling the people to CHOOSE to wear them or not. That subtle difference is part of the spirit of our nation. Right now I chose to say this to you: Merry Christmas! cAPS