posted on Sep, 13 2010 @ 10:56 AM
Our freedoms are at risk and shall always be tested. We fight over them and the courts often decide on how far those freedoms are allowed to go.
When ever there is a clash of freedoms that are protected by law, that is when you see the worse of ideals and fights that will break out, as it is up
to the courts to decide which holds the greastest of weight to the individual across the board and equally.
In another post, I have stated, that when it comes to the freedom of speech, it is always easy to back the rights and freedom of a message or act that
you agree with. But the true test of freedom and the protection of those rights comes when you have to protect that to which you do not agree with or
fully find disgusting.
As in this case the burning of the Quar'an, or any intolerant speech often comes under the fire of the general population, dividing it. The
destruction of any holy symbol in an act of the freedom of Speech, is what is the true testament to that very freedom, and those that died to protect
those rights. We can not have a law that is based on what is convient or is only to protect when it is convient or something that we all agree on.
It also must protect that which we do not agree with and or is not favorable at the time.
In the history of the country, we have seen the changing of what is acceptable to the general population, from the words that are used by others to
refer to one group or another, to how we treat one another. Minorities often decry that which they feel wrongs them or puts them in a bad light. In
my years, I have seen where at one time it was acceptable to refer to a minority by terms that will now get a person fired and or sued. In the
attempt to make everyone feel good, terms that are pc have come to light.
And right now there is the question of tolerance. Should we be tolerant of Islam, yes, but that tolerance does not swing from the Muslim world
towards us. If we draw Mohammad, or burn the Quar'an, they are making death threats and are all up in arms, showing a lack of tolerance and
understanding of the laws that govern this country. Part of the problem is that many in the Islamic world, do not understand the laws or the freedoms
we enjoy here in this country and often take for granted.
The prior posts that stated that the preventing of Pastor from burning the Quar'an, is very correct, as it sets a very dangerous precident, and
bringing up the past in our own country, where being associated with certain groups, speaking out against the government or even protesting would
cause the federal government to get involve to try to stop such, to the point where people were either imprisioned or killed for their views.
And ultimately, how news worthy was this event intially? It was not, just a blip, but when people who are in the news started to speak out about
such, what should have been not even a footnote in history, just became that footnote, there is something very wrong. The moment that the General,
the politicians and the President spoke, it took something very minor and propelled it to the forefront of the worlds eye. And ultimately they were
wrong for doing such. And what happened, protests and a more volatile situation that happened even before the event was to take place. These people
who protested, the Muslim world, needs to take a step back, cause all that told me is that they do not like the United States of America, and do not
trust us. Once again, the world is trying to force their point of view and belief on all of us, rather than showing tolerance.