EDMOND — The bright blaze emitted by the hot flames illuminated the entire street, previously lit only by the ominous glow of the moon. A small group of men was huddled around what appeared to be a campfire. Upon closer investigation, one could see that this was not the case at all. There was indeed a small group of men, but they certainly weren’t lingering around a warm campfire on this chilly winter evening. They were burning an American flag.
The 13 stripes and the 50 stars slowly faded into the smoke as one man, screaming obscenities at the flag as if it could hear him, began to pour gasoline onto the flaming cloth. The flag erupted into an explosion of light and heat, and then only scorched pieces remained.
From far above the clouds, a man watched the scene below him unfold. This man’s name was Thomas Jefferson. He was smiling. He was chuckling over the irony of what was taking place. Jefferson loved America. He realized that by burning his nation’s flag, they were demonstrating that the United States truly is a land of freedom. Only here could one burn his own nation’s flag and not spend the rest of his life in jail, or worse. Jefferson wondered if eventually the men would realize that by burning that flag they were supporting everything the flag stands for. They were committing the ultimate act of freedom.
The United States is a great nation. Here we have two major political parties, and unlike some places, they both have the betterment of their nation in mind. This being said, I have read some articles recently that very much frustrated me. They were featured on conservative Web pages. They claimed that liberalism would have the United States become a land of moral decadence and they exaggerate to such extremes as suggesting that liberals would want ads for the Playboy Channel running during children’s programming. I think that for someone to say something that out of line, it would take a large amount of closed mindedness. To make up false objectives for the other side and attack them is great if you’re playing make believe with your toy soldiers with your friends in pre-school, but in the real world I don’t believe that this is an acceptable way of behaving.
All that liberals are trying to do is remind us that our First Amendment gives us a right to free speech even if (more accurately, especially if) that speech offends someone. There is indeed a time and a place for everything. No one is suggesting that Teletubbies and hard core porn should air together. Censorship is great for protecting the nation’s youth and for allowing religious and morally conscious families to protect their offspring. However, censorship is not great for prohibiting U.S. citizens from saying what they need to say.
If this country were run by the Bible, then perhaps censorship in all aspects of life would be warranted as would be stoning of homosexuals. But since it is not governed according to the Bible, but rather governed according to the Constitution of the United States, it is fitting that we allow people to say what they want to say, instead of what we want them to say.
For example, I would never dare to condone racial hatred. But, if you want to be an ignorant bigot, I think that here in the United States you should have every right to do so. If you want to make a fool of yourself and express how much you hate another race, go ahead. Thousands of patriots have died in the past few centuries so that you can have your free speech, and I don’t believe that modern politicians should be able to take that away from you.
CALVIN WARNER, an Edmond resident, is a senior at Oklahoma Christian School.
Opinion
Censorship does not calm political partisanship
- Opinion
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OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
If you read any of the letters to the editor in the past two weeks regarding Tuesday’s District 2 Edmond school board race, then you already know that this election is not about the individual candidates so much as it’s about what type of school board do Edmond residents really want governing their school district?
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What are your presidential 10 Commandments?
As we brace for the upcoming presidential campaign, we should be honest about our responsibility in the process. Before we get pushed, pulled, bribed, frightened, bullied, flattered, fooled or charmed into voting for a candidate, let’s take a mature thoughtful look at what the profile of the president should look like. In order to do that, let’s do an exercise. Sit down with a pencil and paper and draft your proposal for the Ten Commandments to be obeyed by the president. Let me share some of my suggestions.
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What would Reagan do today in Oklahoma?
As we celebrated the 101st anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth on Feb. 6, several of us at Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs started discussing what Reagan might do today. Here are some of the ideas we came up with.
- LETTER: School counselor says Roy ready to help all students
- LETTER: Supporter calls Duncan 'a firecracker'
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Consequences of an overregulated nation
Overreaching government regulations are costing jobs and killing our economy. They are a heavy burden on our nation and its citizens — in some cases worse than our nation’s increasingly out-of-control debt.
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LETTER: Supporter: Duncan shows passion for children’s needs
To the Editor:
The families in the Edmond Public School District are fortunate to have Kathleen Duncan as their advocate on the Edmond Board of Education. Duncan has worked tirelessly for the welfare and benefit of the Edmond schools’ students. -
LETTER: Teacher supports Duncan’s re-election
To the Editor:
On Feb. 14 patrons of District 2 have an opportunity to re-elect the current president of the Edmond School Board, Kathleen Duncan. Duncan has served as a board member for 10 years. When people move to the Oklahoma City area, they buy a home here because of the exceptional quality of Edmond Public Schools. This speaks to Duncan’s goal of “Excellence in Education for All Edmond Public School Students.” -
LETTER: Supporter: Duncan understands diverse issues
To the Editor:
Kathleen Duncan understands the diverse issues that effect our schools. She carefully studies the district’s issues and works tirelessly as an advocate for all students. Her votes as a board member have an impact for years to come and she takes that responsibility very seriously. - LETTER: Reader says incumbent's personal agenda in the way
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OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
