Memorial Day...

Today is the day we are supposed to honor and remember the men and women of the U.S.A. who have fought to keep our freedoms intact. I have nothing but the utmost respect for those people.

However, I do worry about our freedoms...In a post 9/11 world we are slowly finding our freedoms eroding.

We have the patriot act.

There is talk of re-instituting the draft. I think this is completely wrong because I think one of the reasons our armed forces are so great is because everybody who is there has chosen to be there.

Censorship is more prevalent than ever. Look at Michael Moore's movie, The Nightline reading of the war dead was censored in a few major markets, The FCC coming down on people like Howard Stern (who I don't find funny, but I think he should be allowed to say what he thinks) Tim Robbins' univiting to the baseball hall of fame, because they were worried he would say something political.

It seems to me that Freedom of Speech is less free than ever. I agree with Voltaire, I may not like what you say, but by god, I think you should have the right to be allowed to say it. That's one of the things that makes this country great.

I realize that we have to be cautious and vigilant, however that does not mean we have to be restrictive.

This is from FDR's speech to congress on Jan 16, 1941

"The nation takes great satisfaction and much strength from
the things which have been done to make its people conscious
of their individual stake in the preservation of democratic
life in America. Those things have toughened the fiber of
our people, have renewed their faith and strengthened their
devotion to the institutions we make ready to protect.
Certainly this is no time for any of us to stop thinking
about the social and economic problems which are the root
cause of the social revolution which is today a supreme
factor in the world. For there is nothing mysterious about
the foundations of a healthy and strong democracy.

The basic things expected by our people of their political
and economic systems are simple. They are :
Equality of opportunity for youth and for others.
Jobs for those who can work.
Security for those who need it.
The ending of special privilege for the few.
The preservation of civil liberties for all.
The enjoyment of the fruits of scientific progress in a
wider and constantly rising standard of living.
These are the simple, the basic things that must never be
lost sight of in the turmoil and unbelievable complexity of
our modern world. The inner and abiding straight of our
economic and political systems is dependent upon the degree
to which they fulfill these expectations. "