America is a funny country. In their first Amendment they speak of Freedom of Speech, yet we are constantly fighting for it. America gives freedom to its sentators and political figures, but fail to give it to the people and the common public.
I have never met George Bush so I cannot give an accurate list of his likes and dislikes. What I can do is attempt to hold the man accountable for what he is doing. I disagree with some of the decisions being made. I feel as if we are standing on top of other nations to increase our height. James Carroll said the same thing, "The good things of the Roman Empire are what we remember about it — the roads, the language, the laws, the buildings, the classics… But we pay very little attention to what the Roman Empire was to the people at its bottom — the slaves who built those roads… the oppressed and occupied peoples who were brought into the empire if they submitted, but radically and completely smashed if they resisted at all… We Americans are full of our sense of ourselves as having benign imperial impulses. That’s why the idea of the American Empire was celebrated as a benign phenomenon. We were going to bring order to the world. Well, yes… as long as you didn’t resist us. And that’s where we really have something terrible in common with the Roman Empire… We must reckon with imperial power as it is felt by people at the bottom. Rome’s power. America’s."
Right now I am worried that I will have the secret service knocking on my door for this blog post. What the secret service fail to understand is that this is my opinion, and not even the President of the United States of America can take that away from me. Freedom of Speech is important, and every country should have that freedom. I treasure the freedom of speech that my country gives. What I dislike, is the fact that I have to fight for it when I already have it!
Just recently, a 14 year old girl was pulled out of Biology class and questioned by Secret Service. Why? Because she posted on MySpace her views on how the world should be. I admit, I don’t particularly like MySpace and I don’t particularly agree that the questioning was out of context. The 14 year old showed a picture of Bush being stabbed. I agree, yes, the secret service should question her because a picture of stabbing the president is a little over the top. What I do not agree with is the way in which they questioned her. I don’t believe the yelling and location of questioning was necessary. I believe the only reason they did this was to make an example of her. To show teenagers, throughout the country that posting stuff on MySpace and disagreeing with George Bush could cause serious problems.
What kind of country do we live in? If we flash back to 1945 we would think Hitler himself were in power. Hitler controlled Germany. Germany compared to the United States poses many differences, but the similarities are the most alarming.
Actors and actresses have had such bad publicity throughout their careers, whether it is in references to their musical talent, acting talent, sex scandals and drinking habits. The president is more popular than any actor or actress. I believe that he should be ready for the disagreements posed against him. I do not understand why he is so scared of 14 year olds and 7th graders. Why mess around with teenagers on MySpace? I think he should try and end the war in Iraq.
I believe that everyone should be treated equally, politicians, teenagers, actresses, singers and the common public. State Comptroller Alan Hevesi said, and I quote, "Bush Should be Shot Between the Eyes" he later apologized, but the case here is not in the apology but in the threat he made.
posted on The New York Sun
"If a regular person (not a political figure) stood up in a crowded room and advocated shooting the President, he would be taken by police and probably the Secret Service for questioning and possible incarceration. Hevesi is allowed to make his remarks, apologize and move on. Can this then be used as a precedent for those who wish to advocate killing political figures with whom they disagree?"
The First Amendment was practically trashed the day Natalie Maines exclaimed, "Just so you know, we’re ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas." She never threatened Bush with guns or knives, she simply made a statement based on her opinion. Yet, the Dixie Chicks’ muic was boycotted! See story. So actors and musicians are not allowed to have a political opinion? They are people too, their vote counts as much as mine and yours. Just because the Dixie Chicks are mainstream entertainment for America I do not believe they have hold mainstream opinions and values. They do not represent the country, President Bush does.
Natalie Maines said "I feel the president is ignoring the opinion of many in the U.S. and alienating the rest of the world," she said on Thursday. "My comments were made in frustration, and one of the privileges of being an American is you are free to voice your own point of view."
I disagree with the war. I disagree with the decisions being made, but as you know I am only an 18 year old with an immature mind. My opinions don’t count for much. In some ways that is good and in others it is bad. I want to be heard, but I don’t want to be arrested and I firmly believe that is what the Natalie Maines, 14 year teenagers on Myspace, 7th grade little boys and even Hevesi are trying to do. They are trying to make a difference, and so am I. What I worry about is the secret service that shall be checking blogs and Myspace tonight (instead of assisting in a war) for things said against Bush. I am wondering if I will be getting a phone call tomorrow from them. We shall see.
