Free Speech. Am I On The Wrong Wavelength?

You have Arianna Huffington on one side and across from her is Ann Coulter. I don't like either one, but I believe to the depths of my soul that they have an inherent right to speak their minds. To do away with dissenting opinions, is the heart of Fascism. If the predations of radical Islam cost us our freedoms,they have already won a great victory.

Jon, it seems to me you are an intelligent, logical guy with well-thought-out answers that make a lot of sense.  You also have life experiences that make your viewpoint even more valuable.

I was just surprised to see your post in that group.  I wish you well whatever you decide to do. 

I made my first trip to Europe last summer (daughter in Peace Corps Romania).  Besides Romania, we visited Hungary and Austria.  I have a Masters degree, so I'm not stupid, but I had NO CLUE what people in those countries have been through.  Hero's Square in Bucharest where dissenters were gunned down.  Terror Museum in Budapest where people were detained for no reason, tortured, killed, sent to work camps.  These stories were not part of my education.  Maybe we learned the dates of pertinent events but nothing about what life was really like for the people. 

I can understand why zealots make you nervous.

Jon,

Good post, I always like to hear what you have to say and I have told you that before.

Karen,

I am part of THAT group!  I have no problem with Jon and I don't think he has one with me.  Everyone has opinions and beliefs that differ from others.  I have a feeling if I looked at some of the people you associate with through certain groups you belong to, I could say the same thing that you said above...

These are the people you're associating yourself with in the silent majority group. 

Does that feel comfortable to you?

I have not been involved at all with that discussion but that does not mean I don't agree or disagree with parts of it, I just haven't had time to go through all of it and post.  I don't think it is fair that you try to put people into groups when you do not even know half of the group.

John, the fact that Cheri's post was FEATURED as the shining example of what the group aspires to puts it in a different category from, "Well, jeez, it's a big group.  It's not fair to draw conclusions when you don't know half the people in it."  

Do yourself a favor and read the post and all of her responses.  You might view this comment of mine differently. 

Jon I always respect your opinion even when I don't agree .You made some  valid points in Cheri's blog and it probably would have stayed civil except the attack Libs went straight for her morals and beliefs. I do understand where you were coming from but i still agree with Cheri. I know its hard for most people to understand but i believe our life here is but a short time and  Eternity is forever.

No, Jon, it was not originally about religion.  You were the first reply that gently questioned Cheri's viewpoint and she shot you down with both barrels.  Then she made it about religion and proceeded to try to convince us (herself?) she's holier than any of us and there's only one way to see things.

Wrong for so many reasons that I won't rehash here, but that's what she does. 

Her sniping at your English was unforgivable.  Hey, hers isn't perfect.

You're right, Christ wouldn't silence people.  Someone, at the end of the comments, stated that Cheri is seeing things through God's eyes and implied that the problem is that the rest of us don't get it.  Oh, please.  Ridiculous.  Whatever happened to love thy neighbor?  For that matter, why doesn't she turn the other cheek?  Let alone judge not lest ye be judged.

She can believe whatever she wants, I have a problem when she makes vicious attacks on anybody who's not in lockstep with her.  Because THEY can also believe whatever THEY want.  That's how it works.

I don't think she did any good for the cause of conservatism, to put it mildly.

The description of the Silent Majority group says liberals are welcomed with open arms.  Not seein' it, guys.

Karen W:

You wrote, ".....the fact that Cheri's post was FEATURED as the shining example of what the group aspires to puts it in a different category from, "Well, jeez, it's a big group.  It's not fair to draw conclusions when you don't know half the people in it."  

I am the one who featured Cheri's post. 

I thought you were trying to make arguments for free speech. With this comment, it seems you are trying to diminish what Cheri is trying to say in her post or perhaps silence her, then you peck at Jon for being a Silent Majority member.  I personally invited Jon to Silent Majority and consider him a tremendous asset to our group. How dare you try to get him to drop out of Silent Majority Group just because you disagree with one of our member's posts.

You seem to have become a proponent of what you are protesting so vehemently against, which is censorship. 

Karen:

You said, "The description of the Silent Majority group says liberals are welcomed with open arms.  Not seein' it, guys."

 FYI: There are liberals that are members of Silent Majority.  You'd be very surprised.  With a group that is one of the most active groups on ActiveRain it's hard for anyone to stay away.  Like one liberal said, "It's like watching a train wreck.  You don't want to look but you do."

Bill B.,

Thank you for sticking up for Jon!

If people would only read his profile and his bolgs they'd know this is an American! I'm as conservative as anyone should get and I'm proud to know of him. I tried to tell him, but he didn't answer his phone. Something for another day.

As for some strange wording it's fun, and who am I to talk? At least he spells it right, which is more than I can say.

These attackers claiming to be conservative and Christian are an embarrassment. No one in there right mind has ever vote Democrat, but reading these self apointed judges lets you understand how sane people could vote against them.

Let me stand with the guy, with the strange words and noble ideas every time!

Let me stand with Jon as well.  I like what I've seen from him.  I've defended him above.   

You know what, Bill B?  You're entitled to your opinion.  As is Cheri, Jon and everybody else in this wonderful country.  As am I.  I'm not trying to silence anyone.  I'm just not agreeing.  Big difference.  Also not spewing venom at anyone who disagrees with me.

I'm also not saying "How dare you..." anything.  Now, THAT would be squelching freedom of speech, right?

P.S. I knew you featured Cheri.

William Archambault, YOU understand!

Gonna go watch American Idol.  Peace.

Jon:

Thanks for your kind words.  I very much like your contributions to Silent Majority.  Again, though we don't always see eye to eye (it would be scary if we did), I like reading your posts which are usually very heart felt.  It is quite fascinating to see your perspective as an immigrant to America.  Myself, being born here, there are too many things I take for granted in this great country.