Freedom of Speech --an Inherent Part of Our Being

American are very busy all the time. We lead full lives and have activities and affairs that require much freedom. These freedoms come in many forms, and here in my blog, will be reflections on our freedom of speech.

Allow me to share with you that I served ten years on military active duty in the Unites States Navy. I served our ideals and have been an important part of what America stands for – our democracy. Perhaps I will not be able to say this had I not served our country and the American people. I can readily identiy myself an American, not because of my U. S. passport but because of by the ideals that I embrace. We are free to think, act, and behave the way we do, which separates us from the rest of the world. Being in the Navy took some of my basic freedom away due to the might of the military industrial complex. For now I will focus on the freedom that I believe and feel is seemingly limitless that we, Americans, have.

I wonder how many among us, with regard to this free speech that we all possess, even think about the responsibility that goes with this beautiful freedom that we enjoy? We expect things while assuming the world revolves around us. Why is that? Is it because we are Americans? Do we assume that perhaps we are the center of the universe? I deeply believe that our freedom of expression is an inherent part of our being. Free speech is a core American value. With this freedom and with our values, I need to remember that I am a responsible citizen. And for me. this means that whatever word that I utter, write, or reflect in any form, must not hurt anyone. We always need to remember that we are accountable for our actions. Responsibility and freedom go together in the process of being a true American.