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Diversity and Offence vs. Discrimination
Related to country: United States

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

I was watching a comedy special recently called, Lewis Black: Red, White and Screwed, on Comedy Central. In it Black commented vehemently on a U.S. Senator who was quoted as saying; The Gays are destroying the American Family. Black’s response to that crack-pot notion was to insist the Senator should have kept that thought locked up in his head instead of saying it out loud…especially in front of people.
Personally, I couldn’t disagree more. Black’s position on this issue is exactly what’s wrong with America today.
The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America guarantees every citizen (no matter how infuriating they are) the right to free speech. In the wave of Political Correctness (that is stifling that Constitutional right to say what we think) every one wants to jump on anyone and everyone else’s freedom of expression. I personally am glad that Jackass Senator said it and said it in public because; now I know (should I get the opportunity) not to ever vote for him!
On the subject of free speech, I’d like to pass on some words of wisdom from one of the most intelligent thinkers of my generation. She’s Canadian (don’t hold that against her) Author and Film Maker, Irshad Manji. She pointed out in her PBS Documentary Faith without Fear that; one cannot have true diversity without risking offence. I couldn’t agree more. In a truly pluralistic environment, you must have diversity beyond the part of the country (or world) you were raised in. Beyond physical appearance or the religion you practice. In a truly pluralistic environment you must also have diversity of thought.
As the egotistical and opinionated individual that I am, I believe unexpressed thoughts are completely pointless. If thoughts remain unexpressed, there can be no exchange of ideas. Only through open and honest conversation can we achieve true understanding of each other. As Ms. Manji further observed in Faith without Fear there is a huge difference between being offended and being discriminated against. You can offend people without discriminating against them. The sooner we as a society realize this simple truth, the sooner we can progress toward the melting pot that we as a country are meant to be. We can bridge the gap of understanding between segments of our nation. Offence is the risk you take any time you engage with another religion, philosophy or ideology. The possibility of an Educational experience that you can walk away with is worth the risk.

June 17, 2008 | 5:24 AM Comments  0 comments



Former President Gerald Ford’s position on Freedom
Related to country: United States

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Former President Ford was initially selected by the House and Senate to take over the Vice-President’s vacancy following the resignation of Spiro Agnew. He then assumed the Presidency when Former President Nixon resigned. Despite the distinction of never having been elected by the people to either office, I have a great deal of respect for Former President Ford. During his single abbreviated term in office, he did a lot for the United States Military. By eliminating the Draft he converted it into an all Volunteer Force. In doing so (in my opinion) he created a stronger and prouder United States Armed Forces.
In an interview prior to his death, he was quoted as saying: "I can understand the theory of wanting to free people. I just don’t think we should go hellfire damnation around the globe freeing people, unless it is directly related to our own National Security."
What the Ford Quote means to me is: It is not the roll of the American Government to extend humanitarian aid and education or work to boost the quality of life beyond our boarders. It is the roll of American Citizens.
As a Soldier it’s a philosophy I can’t help but agree with. Charity has to begin at home. As long as there are hungry, homeless and uneducated people in this country, my tax dollars should not cross a boarder unless it is to protect our own National Security. As an American and Global Citizen, it’s up to me to maintain my Country’s good name and good standing in the Global Community. My charitable work and donations should be enough to support our Global Neighbors in their times of need. I encourage other Americans to be good Global Citizens and do the same.
I don’t know about most Americans but, I’m very careful about the charities I donate to directly. I have very limited discretionary income but I am generous with what I do have. Consequently when I do gift money or time to a charitable entity, I want to know I can trust and believe in not just the cause but the organization as well.
Charitable donations are just one way to help those in need. A conscientious consumer can also help with commercial spending. If you take the time to research companies who manufacture the products you buy, you can learn a lot about their Global Citizenship. I applaud companies like Proctor & Gamble who are donating feminine hygiene products to school girls in Africa, who could miss up to a month of school a year because they lack these products. Serving as an excellent example of Corporate America being good Global Citizens, they’ve also launched a program called “Children’s Safe Drinking Water.” All you have to do to help them with this project is redeem newspaper coupons for Procter & Gamble products that you already use and they donate one liter of clean drinking water to parts of the world where waterborne diseases are leading causes of sickness and death.
This is how it should be. The American people through Charity and Corporate America (redeeming their good names and America’s reputation) lending a helping hand internationally.

June 16, 2008 | 6:46 AM Comments  0 comments

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