Freedoms

I’m no expert on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. But I don’t think freedom of assembly meant mobs or a few folks hanging out shooting the breeze. I think it meant the right to come together to express and discuss all ideas concerning the nature of our political, cultural and religious lives.

Freedom of the press certainly didn’t mean the National Enquirer and other gossip rags. It meant serious and conscientious reporting of events of interest and consequence.

Freedom of speech did not mean unrestricted speech that was free of responsibility and consequence. It meant speech that intended to present meaningful ideas and thoughts. Since it was speech, it could come in any language, including visual, written and musical. It didn’t mean money talks.

The meanings of these freedoms has been eroded, and we see the consequences in their careless and trivial use. America does not stand for anything goes, but for the protection of the responsible voice.