I hope that we can all agree that when we pontificate about the meaning of Thanksgiving, that for Americans we are all thankful for the right to express ourselves freely.
Unfortunately, that constitutionally guaranteed right seems to be watered down on so many levels. What specifically comes to mind at the moment are the #ows movement, the immigration HB56 protests in Alabama or just this morning the Kansas high school student who was sent to the principal's office after a harmless tweet about Gov. Sam Brownback.
Yes that's right -
During the session, in which Brownback addressed the group, Sullivan posted on her personal Twitter page:
“Just made mean comments at gov brownback and told him he sucked, in person #heblowsalot”
On Tuesday, Sullivan was called to her principal’s office and told that the tweet had been flagged by someone on Brownback’s staff and reported to organizers of the Youth in Government program.
The principal “laid into me about how this was unacceptable and an embarrassment,” Sullivan said. “He said I had created this huge controversy and everyone was up in arms about it … and now he had to do damage control.
No Principal Sullivan - "unacceptable and an embarrassment" is your reaction and the kowtowing to the censorship of Gov. Brownback's staff.
A public official censoring and reporting what a high school student says is beyond silly. Perhaps, if this were a public safety issue we might look at this different. But nobody is making any threats, just simply expressing their constitutional right to say what they want on a medium known as Twitter.
Thankfully this brave high school student is not afraid and she's continuing to tweet. Follow her at @emmakate988
Don't back down Emma Kate and the other high school students who are being sent to the Principal's office. And don't back down #OWS supporters who are being pepper sprayed. And don't back down opponents of the Alabama HB56 who are being harassed and threatened.
The right to express our thoughts, feelings and opinions without fear of retribution is one of the greatest rights we have in this country. Be thankful that we continue to have folks that stand up for this right.
Happy thanksgiving. Enjoy your family, enjoy your friends and enjoy your free speech.