Freedom...Anyone?

This week...I chose to post quotes and quotations on freedom of the press...freedom of expression. This was triggered by two things, a week ago, Cebu celebrated Freedom of the Press Week, and another blogger Lecram made a post on Freedom of Expression - A Plea.

I always try to stay away from political discussion here as most of you know, in as much as I can, I try to make my post here light and personal, yet, there are times when I feel I need to say something...and this is one of those times.

I was supposed to make this post last weekend, but circumstance did not allow me so, here it is.

Blogging has become so much part of the many of us that we most of the times, rant...ramble and shout out our opinions in here. And we do that without fear of being kicked in butt for saying our thoughts. We keep an open mind and go into discussions...and I believe it has become a healthy venue for exchange of opinions.

So what do you have to say if you learn that a blogger was thrown into jail for voicing out his opinions against the government? I can't believe it too, but it happened! No fair trial...no due process...nothing at all!

I never claimed to be well-versed in different laws, but I do believe in due process, and that treating a person innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt is just a universal law...I mean, in a civilized society. So I have included several links here so you can go and read them yourselves.

There is an ONLINE PETITION going on, so you can sign up and help this individual be given at least fair trial.

I did join the online petition as I have my personal stand on this issue. I am not the type to carry placards across the street to fight for a cause, but certainly I am not one person who just bit her tongue when I know what is right.

And Thankful Thursday reminds me once again of the many things I should be grateful for. One is my ability to think freely...and express my thoughts...and more importantly the guidance on which and where to use them not only to my benefit but to the people around me as well.

I am grateful that finally that software which monitors my desktop activity at work had been removed as it turns out it was not supposed to be there...speaking of freedom...LOL

I am grateful for the gift of friendships...as I have always been!

So here are 13 wonderful quotes on our topic today --

(1) “Freedom of expression - in particular, freedom of the press - guarantees popular participation in the decisions and actions of government, and popular participation is the essence of our democracy.” ~ Corazon Aquino

As long as we do not overdo it... ;)

(2) “It is by the goodness of God that in our country we have those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and the prudence never to practice either.” ~ Mark Twain

Amen.

(3) “If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” ~ George Washington

This has its wisdom...

(4) “The government being the people's business, it necessarily follows that its operations should be at all times open to the public view. Publicity is therefore as essential to honest administration as freedom of speech is to representative government. 'Equal rights to all and special privileges to none" is the maxim which should control in all departments of government.' ~ William Jennings Bryan

It's always nice to bring balance...

(5) “In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way. The third is freedom from want…. The fourth is freedom from fear.” ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

The fourth one made me stare at the line for minutes...love it!

(6) “The most important aspect of freedom of speech is freedom to learn. All education is a continuous dialogue - questions and answers that pursue every problem on the horizon. That is the essence of academic freedom.” ~ William Orville Douglas

This is what I learn most of all in my years of stay at the University of the Philippines.

(7) “Serious violations of human rights, of civil liberties, the freedom of political expression are matters of concern to every member of the international community,” ~ Robin Cook

I agree.

(8) “Internet journalism could advance freedom of expression and wider view points. Although I have been convicted by Iranian courts, I have not lost hope and I am sure that in coming years the rulers of my country will have to respect the flow of information and freedom of expression.” ~ Arash Sigarchi

Surely internet journalism is here and will be here for years to come!

(9) “No one has paid attention to it. But now people are realizing that freedom of expression throughout the world is at stake.” ~ Julien Pain

What do you think?

(10) "The only valid censorship of ideas is the right of people not to listen." ~Tommy Smothers

So very true!

(11) We have a natural right to make use of our pens as of our tongue, at our peril, risk and hazard. ~Voltaire

I couldn't agree more!

(12) The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error. ~John Stuart Mill

That is why...true censorship is with the people...who after all has the freedom of thought...

(13) No man is above the law and no man below it. ~Theodore Roosevelt

That is why I signed the online petition in support of that blogger!


Everyday is the best time
to give thanks!

Please check Thankful Thursday
and together let us celebrate
all the things we should
be grateful for!



For other 13 wonderful things....please visit Thursday Thirteen!