Freedom Is Never Free

We Americans are a spoiled lot.  As a nation, we have experienced many "wins" that make us complacent.  As a nation, we have not suffered enough to be able to flaunt our freedoms to the rest of the world.  As a nation, we are quick to claim our Constitutional rights when our Constitutional rights only count at home.  The rest of the world doesn't care about what our Constitution gives us by way of rights.  The rest of the world plays by a different set of rules, and this is what frustrates me about us.

Looking at the problem with a jaded eye, here is what I have found:

1.  Within the country, people feel that they have the right to speak their minds and expect everyone else to fall in line.  For example, just after New Year's Eve, a woman in Indy posted a nasty commentary on the Kilroy's Bar and Grill's website.  It seems that a woman had a heart attack and died on the premises during the NYE festivities.  The writer assumed it was a druggie having an overdose.  Her evening was "ruined" by seeing the "dead person" being wheeled out by paramedics, and even more so by a server who was upset because the gal was being demanding about her bill in the face of the tragedy going on right before their eyes.   As a paying customer, she felt entitled to better service, even though she didn't have all of the facts.  The owner of Kilroy's responded in kind.  Essentially, he set the record straight--that the "dead person" was not an addict but rather an elderly woman who had a heart attack while celebrating the holiday with her husband and son.  (She was revived after transport and still lives.)  He went on to say (in terms I can only say showed restraint) that he was glad the complainant said she would never go there again because she showed no respect for human life over her own selfish demands.  His final statement was that she could take her money elsewhere and he would not lose a minute's sleep over it.  I didn't find his response disrespectful at all, and apparently, neither did anyone else.  It all went "viral" on the Internet...and not in the gal's favor.

The woman had made a public post on a public website.  In VERY short order, the whole thing became the talk of the Internet, internationally.  Even her workplace became subject to scrutiny and criticism.  She had to take down her Facebook profile, etc.  People were calling for her to be fired; others made death threats.  She criticized the owner for posting what he did,.. then said that her FB account had been hacked and she didn't say what she did (although I think she gave up that dodge).  Blah, blah...  Y'know, if I had experienced all of that, I would have sat back and apologized. "I'm sorry I said those things.  I was inebriated.  I didn't understand the circumstances.  Please forgive me."  Did she do that?  No...and I think she will suffer the consequences for awhile.  Did she have the right to say what she did?  Of course.  She can stand on her constitutional right to free speech for the rest of her life, but she is internationally hated right now.

2.  Donald Trump, candidate for American president, spouts off on a daily basis.  He THINKS he is talking to America only...but the rest of the world is listening.  Just recently, ISIS has used some of his comments as propaganda to promote their stands on world issues.  Trump has grabbed all of the media attention, which makes people think that Republicans are their only choice.  I won't ever vote Republican again for personal reasons, but I pray that the rest of the country--no matter their political party--will get serious about the candidate they choose to represent them and us in the world.

3.  How many times have I told my Facebook friends (and anyone else who is listening) that what they say will follow them, no matter if they have the constitutional right to say things or not?  Use the F-word if you want.  Project false information as if it were truth if you want.  Disregard what is valid and proven if you want.  Just don't expect the world to beat a path to your door.

We no longer live in the world into which I was born.  We are a global entity with global concerns.  I'm scared for us....not because of threats from the outside, but because of our own stupidity within.  Your American right to free speech is going to be the death of us unless you come to understand that we are just a part of a bigger picture.  I pray to Almighty God that we don't destroy the planet before its time, due to our own misinformation.