What is going on with people today? Freedom of speech has morphed into a new concept completely alien to its original intent. Nowadays people seem to think: “I support free speech … as long as you agree with me.”
Take, for example, the case of the Bush sign. Off of I-405 just south of the I-5 interchange in Lynnwood, there is a problem keeping a Bush sign in place. Several signs have been vandalized, replaced and then destroyed again.
Why do people think it’s OK to destroy private property if it sports a name you disagree with? Why has our freedom of speech been so casually discarded?
I am by no means saying the liberal left is the only side committing such acts, and I condemn sign-stealing and the destruction of private property by anyone on either side of the debate. But I’ve been watching these Bush signs disappear at a disproportionate rate, and I know people who have had their cars keyed or tires slashed simply because of a Bush bumper sticker. What do the vandals hope to accomplish? All it does is make a small percentage of people on the other side want to sink to the same level and destroy Kerry signs or perform other onerous deeds. It all just feeds back into the circle of hate. How long will it be before someone gets hurt?
If you don’t like your neighbor’s Bush sign, put up a Kerry sign – but leave the Bush sign alone! If you don’t like your neighbor’s MoveOn.org sign, put up your own Bush sign. Get involved in the campaigns, and make a positive impact for what you believe. Childish, criminal behavior will solve nothing, and only cause an escalation of destruction that will eventually destroy the liberties this country stands for. Our freedom to express ourselves is a two-way street. In order to be respected, you have to show respect to others whether or not you agree with them.
Ron Logan
Everett
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
