Silencing America
NewsMax ^ | 12/19/04 | Kathleen Antrim
I??m ashamed to say that I??ve always taken the First Amendment right to freedom of speech for granted. Now freedom of speech is quickly becoming a thing of the past. In its stead come ??political correctness,? intolerance and, finally, the silencing of America.
The First Amendment is being redefined. Freedom of speech and tolerance for diversity of thought and ideas now include lists of dos and don??ts. The official list of don??ts includes not saying ??God? in public, certainly not on government property like a school.
In Cupertino, California, a fifth-grade teacher has been banned from using the Declaration of Independence as an educational supplement because God is mentioned in the document. This, folks, is the thought police in action, under the guise of separation of church and state. And they are silencing America.
Don't use any symbol that suggests religion, with the exception of Islam, which is part of the California seventh-grade curriculum.
My daughter??s cheerleading squad planned to put up a Christmas tree in the high school courtyard that said ??All I want for Christmas is the NCS Football Championship.? This idea was quickly squashed by administrators because not everyone celebrates Christmas. So, instead of being welcome to express themselves, and welcoming others to do the same, they were silenced.
The list of don??ts includes listening to or verbalizing diverse ideas, or concepts with which the "group" doesn??t agree. Doing so will provoke the thought police.
Recently, at a San Francisco board meeting for a foundation that supports literacy and creative writing, I suggested that we invite a famous former librarian who champions literacy, first lady Laura Bush, to be a keynote speaker. Jaws dropped. Silence ensued (a sure sign that the thought police were ready to pounce). Eyes grew round and hard. Based on the horrified expressions, you'd have thought that I??d insulted their mothers.
??Laura Bush?? one member said. ??Well, we??d need to find someone more appropriate than her.?
More appropriate? The first lady of the United States, former librarian, champion of literacy, is not appropriate as a keynote speaker at a literary event in San Francisco? Well, of course not. Why? Her politics were not welcome here ??at least not by this group. And that was all that mattered, even though her politics had nothing to do with her appearance.
This brings me to the list of dos.
Do avoid those with whom you ??think? you might disagree. Of course, you may never really know if you disagree with them, because upon mere suspicion they must immediately be silenced.
If disagreement is detected, do take the offensive by escalating from acting offended to making cutting personal remarks.
Do claim to be intellectually superior, as exemplified by a map sent from a liberal friend that depicts the blue coasts as America and the red middle as "Dumbf---istan."
If you??ve got no facts to support your argument and name-calling hasn't worked, do pull the religion or race cards.
And finally if they won??t shut up ?? as in the example of someone giving a speech or invited for an interview on a ??news? show ?? do shout them down. Even the hint of diversity of thought is not welcome, let alone the freedom to voice those thoughts.
I was taught that freedom of speech meant complete freedom of expression, as long as it doesn't endanger others. Put up a Christmas tree, display a menorah, whatever your pleasure. Share ideas, debate concepts, learn from each other and, at times, agree to disagree.
But those days are gone. Only certain ??thought police?-condoned concepts are allowed. But be careful because these concepts go in and out of vogue. Black issues seem to be declining, with gay issues growing in favor. Medical issues are waning, with the exception of AIDS. Christianity is out. Evolution is in. Islam is very in.
I predict it won??t be long before churches have to remove their crosses from their steeples because they can be seen from public roads. Religious pendants and necklaces will be officially outlawed in public. Picketing on public sidewalks will be allowed only for thought police politically correct issues like pro-abortion.
How far will the silencing of America go? Actually, that??s up to you. You can refuse to be silenced. Join me in my fight against the silencing of America. It's quite simple. Speak up, refuse to censure yourself, stop worrying about political correctness, and if you do happen to offend someone, well, then simply apologize ??p but only if you want to.
By the way, Merry Christmas
