Here in America, we possess a right to speak freely. It is a right that we have treated with the utmost reverence. All of us, regardless of our economic station, religion, race or political affiliation, have learned to be peacefully tolerant of those who would say the most hateful things about us.
If there is anything in our history that truly sets us apart from the entire world and its history, it is our near fanatical commitment to preserving the right of each man and woman to speak freely; especially on matters that are religious and political in nature.
Now, according to Reuters, a government official from Pakistan has called for the killing of an American Citizen for speaking his mind within the confines of our borders. (see link below).
This is an outrage of monumental proportions. This is not a rogue terrorist or wayward religious cleric. This is a government official of a supposed friendly nation calling for a mob hit on an American.
Nakoula Basseley Nakoula is a really bad filmmaker. His point of view is warped and hateful. Indeed, most all of us would never in a million years defend this guy’s point of view. However, what we ALL must do is defend his right to express it.
Today, Nakoula Basseley Nakoula needs to become one of us. The threat leveled towards him must be considered a threat leveled at each of us personally.
Comments
Thanks for the kind words
At this point, I do not know your background but I would like to congratulate you on a well thought out and well presented essay. You have expressed yourself with an excellence that should put many of today's journalist to shame. I was particularly impressed with how you spoke to all Americans who love this country and it's freedoms (no matter what their political views). You did not take sides or point fingers, but just implored all citizens to take up arms (using the weapons of pens, keyboards and voices) for this noble cause.
I will take up this call to defend our Freedom of Speech and encourage others on all my networks to do the same. We must rise up with a loud united voice that can be heard around the world so that all who demand our freedoms be limited and restricted according to their desires can hear us.
I beg of all who hear this call to restrain their impulses to use it as a platform to support their candidate. We all need to fight for the candidate of our choice, but not here. The world needs to hear our united voice, for it is the unity of voices from all political affiliations joining together to defend our freedoms that will gain the attention that help our cause.
Yes. As the world gets smaller, the need to reconcile that various cultural differences becomes more urgent. Best wishes to you as well.