Tennant: Freedom of speech crucial for health of nation – Reno Gazette Journal

Laura Tennant, news@masonvalleynews.com Published 10:32 a.m. PT March 8, 2017 | Updated 13 hours ago

Laura Tennant is a columnist for the Mason Valley News.(Photo: Provided to the Mason Valley News)

I was flabbergasted a few years ago to learn that administrators and students at some American colleges and universities were protesting free speech and the students were obtaining petition signatures to eliminate the First Amendment because a lecturer with different political views had been scheduled to speak at the school. I was more than flabbergasted when the president of the college upheld their views. I had thought the radical anti-free speech movement would fade away but it is now becoming violent with lawlessness occurring and no one suffering the consequences but innocent people.

America is a nation of laws and always has been for more than 200 years. I guess young people who have never had rules at home think they dont have to obey the laws of the land go try it in some other country.

The opponents of the First Amendment must believe, if the amendment were scratched from the U.S. Constitution, they would be the only ones who had the right to voice an opinion because, of course, their political views are superior to those of other citizens. Sounds scary that is what Adolph Hitlers brown shirts believed. If German citizens dared to express their opinion, they were immediately hauled off to a prison camp or murdered on the spot!

I cannot believe any American of any political party favors this type of a government.

The First Amendment is one of the most important freedoms we Americans have. I truly believe that everyone has a right to hold and express a political or other type of opinion in this society and to do it without fearing physical abuse from citizens who disagree.

In my younger years, I loved reading the classic authors of the 18th and 19th centuries, who often wrote about their gatherings where they socialized and respectfully discussed the worlds problems with their friends who were famous artists or statesmen.

Antagonists are our helpers

A quote by British statesman Edmund Burke reflects why I think that citizens open exchange of viewpoints on any subject is a positive force in America.

Burke said, He who struggles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper. I believe this, so with whom shall I discuss politics if everybody is forced to think alike? That form of government is called a dictatorship and citizens of those countries are so controlled there is no freedom of speech.

Burke was an 18th-century Irish statesman, author, orator, political theorist and philosopher who eventually moved to London and served in the House of Commons with the Whig Party and many of his quotes have become famous.

By the time students get to college, I would think that they could stand to be civil to someone who does not share their opinions.

So far, President Donald Trump has not tried to stop the deadly antics of the opposing side, but he might have to step in if communities, colleges or universities cannot get the situation remedied before someone gets killed.

Snow globe world

I woke up last Sunday morning to see and hear a howling blizzard blustering through our yard. We have not seen one of these storms for years. I honestly enjoy wild weather if I am warm and toasty inside the house by the fire and I do not have to drive anywhere.

This morning, I was unable to resist so I grabbed my camera and went outside barefooted to capture the moment. When the wind hit me, it felt like the storm had blown in from the Artic Circle but it was blowing from the usual southeasterly direction. Getting a good picture of wind and snow flitting through our yard was difficult. But I did get a couple of video shots that tell the story. The snow quit for a while until this afternoon and now the snowflakes are slowly drifting down and it feels like we are in a musical snowglobe.

Laura Tennant is a Silver City native, Dayton historian and the Leader-Couriers former editor. Comments are welcomed. Call 775-246-03256, e-mail L10ant38@gmail.com or write P.O. Box 143, Dayton, NV 89403.

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Tennant: Freedom of speech crucial for health of nation - Reno Gazette Journal