Hello Steem,
I have been watching with extreme disappointment the loss of our 1st Amendment protections for free speech and the ability to protest. It has been happening for many years now, but lately the speed at which we are losing one of our fundamental Rights, specifically protected under the First Amendment and established Supreme Court case law is astounding.
Now even the President of the United States, sworn by Oath to protect and defend the Constitution, has openly called for the abolishment of Free Speech, albeit by tweeting.
A quick reminder to all of those that are disturbed by a firefighter using the N word on his facebook page, or the ability for neo Nazi's and white supremacists to protest, or the audacity of NFL players to refuse to stand during the National Anthem, or school students refusing to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of their school day, or a citizen cursing at a police officer, or someone openly refusing to "Support the Troops" - These things are, each and every one, protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution, period.
There is no room for debate, no questions to be asked and no punitive measure that can be legally taken. Every citizen has the Right to speak their beliefs. If their expression makes you uneasy, or scared, or angry, that is your problem, not theirs, and if you attempt to prevent them from exercising this basic Right, it is you that is behaving un American, being a traitor to our Country.
The people that should be leaving this Country are not those opposed to policies, but those who would silence even one individual that believes there is an injustice that needs to be addressed. If you believe that this Nation or any agency operating in it, is so perfect as to defy question, then you are either misguided, uneducated, intellectually retarded, mentally incompetent, or self deluded. If you lack the maturity and self control to deal with disrespect of yourself or others, without punishment or reprisal, then maybe you should be the one self deporting to another Nation that has stricter controls of their citizen's speech.
Enough is enough. You don't have to invite a racist to your home, but you do have to allow them the opportunity to express their ignorance. If watching mostly black NFL players refuse to stand during the National Anthem because of the intrinsic racist police enforcement system offends you, watch something else. If your sensibilities are offended by someone saying "fuck the police" or calling troops baby killers, or politicians warmongers, or you an asshole, or your mama a whore, tough. It is part of being an American. Grow up!
Fuck Trump, Fuck the police, Fuck the troops, Fuck Richard Petty and Nascar, Fuck racists, and most importantly FUCK YOU, if you think that suppressing speech is ever a good idea!
Evil can only exist in the dark and the quiet, if you try to keep someone quiet, their ideas will stay in the dark, and there is no way to counter them. Stupidity exposes itself with free speech and is easy to discredit. I may not agree with your ideas, but I would lay down my life to ensure you have the ability to say it, or express it as you see fit. I expect the same from you as a fellow citizen.
Any less is profoundly UN American. This is what America should be waiting to hear.