RE: The Golden Globes.
I don't want to jump into this discussion too much, as you all know I have trouble ending a debate. I will say though that folks (be it famous folks or commoners like you and me) who want to protest, or send a message about their beliefs, could express themselves more genuinely if they simply attacked what they believe is bad, as opposed to urinating on the American flag, or those other things which represent America, the principles and values of America, and those people who sacrificed so much to obtain and protect those principals which distinguished America as an albeit imperfect, but nevertheless a land with a foundation built on moral, just and fair concepts like freedom, individual liberty, free enterprise, separation of powers, and freedom of expression.
And, while free speech is great, if goes both ways, and it must in order to remain good. Those who oppose racists, for example, must not loose sight of the fact that the first amendment also protects an individuals right to be racists in his/her beliefs, and express themselves accordingly. We are all also allowed to hate each other, and share reasons why you hate if you choose to do so.
Those who protest the "flag" or "national anthem" may do so, but those who do illustrate primarily the shallowness of their understanding of the issues, as by doing so they are opposing freedom and liberty, while at the same time insulting all those who believe in these values and who have sacrificed themselves to protect those things for generations dating back to pilgrims who fled oppressive countries to find a new land where freedom could be taken for granted. America, it's Constitution, American values and its symbols are not the problems. If you have an issue worthy of protest, than protest that issue or thing. Don't condemn the very thing which is contemporaneously providing the luxury of protest. And if you do, understand that doing so will, to all those who enjoy intellect and understanding, expose you as someone who does not really know what you are saying or doing.
Bad people will always exist; racist, bigots, mean spirited morons, and others. Good people also exist. And, while the founding fathers had some personal flaws, they drafted as perfect a constitution as ever could have been made, and it is timeless. This is a country which went into civil war with each other, and eliminated the horror of slavery at the cost of so many, and although bad politicians have always existed, we have managed for generation upon generation to maintain peaceful transition of leaders, who have had extremely different views and philosophies.
If someone wants to criticize America, than they should be allowed to do so for sure. But are you really criticizing America, or something else you don't like which is just happening in America? There is a difference. Our government isn't our daddy. The government is supposed to be "limited", and minimalist. People too often lose sight of this though, and leaders do too. I will save that lecture for our next lesson, but suffice to say that protesting that "the government" needs to do more to combat "racism" , for example, is a protest against free thought and expression. It would be like someone protesting for the government to outlaw certain religions, or political views.
The other beautiful thing about America is that we dont lock people in. Freedom extends to the option of leaving the country if and whenever you believe someplace else is better. If you choose to stay, because weighing it all out you still conclude that, even considering the pimples, sores and other blemishes, America is still the greatest and most equitable place on earth, then honor it by at least respecting the things which symbolize what makes it so great that we all want to stay.
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