What happened in Paris

In my last post I wrote, "When you create anything, it is like saying to the whole world (or just our little part of it) that it can destroy itself if it wants; we will create in spite of the craziness, it is what makes us human."

That took on a whole new meaning for me in the light of what happened recently in Paris.  I have never understood how anyone can be so afraid if an idea that they need to silence it, much less do so violently in the name of their religion.   I believe it takes a particular kind of coward to shout down, censor, or silence someone with whom they disagree.  Freedom of speech is a basic human right.  While there is no corresponding right to be heard, we must never tolerate or be cowed into, being told what we may say, what questions we may ask or in what manner we may express our thoughts.  Thomas Jefferson said that the price of liberty is constant vigilance. Amen.  

It really is very simple:  Don't like what you hear or see?  Don't listen. Don't look. Walk away.

But remember, we have to guard the freedom of speech of those with whom we disagree as diligently, and maybe more so,  as we guard our own.