I admit that I take for granted some things about living free in this country. Not a lot...I was raised to understand my civic duty and contribute to the health and well being of my community. But sometimes I lose track of how easy it is to walk out of the home I own, get into the vehicle I own, drive a couple of blocks to the grocery store, and pick up just about anything I feel like eating in that moment.
I appreciate the history and the people who have made it possible for me to do stuff like that. But that isn't the first thing I think of when I want a pizza, you know?
I'm rambling a bit. I get to be a citizen of this country by accident of birth. My colleague chose it, worked for it, and earned it. I have profound respect for her.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Nowhere in that passage does it say anything about relieving any person or persons of the consequences of what they say. So exercise your right to speak your mind. But be aware and prepared that someone may just decide to exercise their right to object to what you say and speak their mind about it.
If you can accept that someone can say what they want in response to what you say, then you truly understand and respect the spirit of the First Amendment. If you can also see that the amendment protects speech from government interference and censure, then you truly understand and respect the actual purpose of First Amendment.
So...citizenship, rights, consequences, and responsibility. I guess those are some pretty good thoughts to have on a Tuesday, or on any day.
