Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridge the freedom of speech... Does this sound familiar? Yes, it is the 1st Amendment to the Constitution. Our forefathers were very wise to include this in the Bill of Rights. Our fathers, grandfathers, uncles, sons and daughters have fought to keep the "Freedom of Speech" free in our Country. My father, my brother, my husband, and yes, both my children have defended this freedom through their military experience. So I, for one, would not attempt to silence anyone. Sometimes, under the guise of freedom of speech, though, out creeps slander, and the politics of personal destruction, which is all wrapped up in someone's ego because they fail to understand the ramifications of what it takes to "Keep America Free" in the true sense of the word. Distortion of the truth by the means of propaganda has been used for centuries as an effective way to reign in power. Today this propaganda has taken a new twist in the computer age by skewing viewpoints while hoping to sway public opinion. Hate speech, political speech, insults, and baseless character destruction are examples but when does this wandering, worthless babble of some individuals cross the line of free speech? When does this distorted propaganda, veiled under the umbrella of 1st Amendment, become slander? It is a fine thread that many dance upon everyday, here in our county, while they wrap themselves in the flag demanding free speech under our Constitution. Unfortunately, many of the free speech advocates abuse the 1st Amendment, hoping for protection, while spewing worthless drivel to the same low intellect they attract on a daily basis. This old phrase really fits for these individuals ....Garbage in, garbage out!
