Wednesday, October 27, 2004
This is from one of my favorite writers:
"...The bright side of this is that it offers a valuable lesson in American history. Each time the United States becomes imperial it betrays the very keystone upon which its greatness rests. It suppresses dissent and suggests that national interest is more important than free speech..."
"...The all-purpose accusation against dissenters is that they are “unpatriotic,” which is deeply ironic since those first patriots are celebrated for rebelling against government policies they considered wrong. Children learn of the greatness of those who spoke out against the policies of George III, then here vilified those who do not agree with George W..."
"...If the free exchange of ideas is temporarily suspended in the interest of “supporting our troops” (as though all soldiers are also of one mind about foreign policy), then what is the gift we bring to the Iraqi people? Old Navy fleece? Stuffed-crust pizza? Much of what we have to export as a nation is similarly transient, except for this: the right to elect leaders, to watch what they do through the vehicle of a free press, and then, if we choose, to damn them for doing it, in coffeehouses, at home, from the steps of the courthouse or the statehouse, in private and in public, too..."
"...In a democratic society, the only treason is silence."
Excerpts from the writings of Anna Quindlen.
Newsweek
April 21, 2003.
"...The bright side of this is that it offers a valuable lesson in American history. Each time the United States becomes imperial it betrays the very keystone upon which its greatness rests. It suppresses dissent and suggests that national interest is more important than free speech..."
"...The all-purpose accusation against dissenters is that they are “unpatriotic,” which is deeply ironic since those first patriots are celebrated for rebelling against government policies they considered wrong. Children learn of the greatness of those who spoke out against the policies of George III, then here vilified those who do not agree with George W..."
"...If the free exchange of ideas is temporarily suspended in the interest of “supporting our troops” (as though all soldiers are also of one mind about foreign policy), then what is the gift we bring to the Iraqi people? Old Navy fleece? Stuffed-crust pizza? Much of what we have to export as a nation is similarly transient, except for this: the right to elect leaders, to watch what they do through the vehicle of a free press, and then, if we choose, to damn them for doing it, in coffeehouses, at home, from the steps of the courthouse or the statehouse, in private and in public, too..."
"...In a democratic society, the only treason is silence."
Excerpts from the writings of Anna Quindlen.
Newsweek
April 21, 2003.
// posted by Chris @ Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Comments:
Post a Comment
