“Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one.”

I like it. It doesn't mean the free press has to express any truth or substance of value.

Sure, but freedom to bear arms is likewise guaranteed only to those who own them. Do we not have the freedom to acquire them by just means? That freedom is also guaranteed.

This example is Exactly why there is so much importance in speech. What do you have before you speak? your voice, so whatwould we call thoughts that cause a crime. Thought crimes. but you didn't get out of bed and simply think I will commit a thought crime today? No, with the best of intentions your firstwords are enough to start the

This example is Exactly why there is so much importance in speech. What do you have before you speak? your voice, so whatwould we call thoughts that cause a crime. Thought crimes. but you didn't get out of bed and simply think I will commit a thought crime today? No, with the best of intentions your firstwords are enough to start the progressive road to hell and that's about where we are headed for. Free thought, freepress freemovement freebreathing are exactly the rules that this man is delivering to us as a free gift from where they came from.

Thought is the beginning of creation and the ffulfilment of the thought is creation.Therefore these rights are inalienable and only death has the power to rmove them from you

Grand observation, horrible truth... leave it to UT to house pro-killing (tool) and anti-thought (expression)... is it too late to uninvite them from the union?

The "freedom of the press" is meant as a protection of all forms of non-verbal media from the meddling of government. It does not imply the guarantee of access or ownership, and it is not restricted to those who consider themselves journalists.

Owners and editors will edit stories so that they can mean only what they desire it too. One must never get all his or her news from only 1 or 2 sources.

Yes, and today the media is owned by corporatism - look who are the owners of the large corporations and that tells the full story. Religious fundamentalism, right-wing fanaticism, greed, and a theocratic oligarchy, all sleep with their friend, the printing press. It is obvious from your comments of yesterday that no matter how much I try to enlighten this blog your wish is to remain in the dark, I therefore offer my resignation. Editor, you seem to encourage a laissez-faire mentality with your quotes and my time spent elsewhere would be more valuable. I have enjoyed the time spent on LibertyTree and I thank you Eric for all the work you do that has kept this site going. If any wish to write me hate mail or a good word my email address is robken16@gmail.com I wish you all well and success in your future endeavors. True Freedom comes from compassion, discipline (self), detachment (from the holistic sense of the word), and love – try the detachment first, then discipline, compassion, and last love. I put love last because without the first three true love is impossible. Goodbye! I leave you with this one quote from Buddha (Buddhism is not a religion it is a way): Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.

Robert, you needn't go away. I may be your greatest antagonist but, I'm also one of your greatest advocates. We may disagree on the definition of religion but, so. You often bring up good stuff like about Reagan and today's comment on corporatism - I don't know that all here fully understand what that entails. If you decide to fully leave us, have a great journey.

If it is true, I don't like it. But I do believe in the good distribution of power in this country and that even facts - if facts indeed - like those can be changed. On another matter, some people can take differences of opinions and still enjoy each others' company. I can and I do! I was not here when Reagan was President, but, from a distance, I could see people lived well and happily in this country!

Horrible

Great quote -- certainly true. Thank goodness for the Internet as all have access to a 'press' now -- and the 'establishment's' press is being drowned out by the voices of real people. Let's hope the trend continues.

RBE, you will be missed. I do hope you pop in from time to time to share your perspective. You've got a big heart and you are an exemplary advocate for integrity. I think you may find that whatever labels are put upon your or my opinions, you will find more agreement in our ideals than in our proposals for their advancement. While many of the progressive liberals of today share your concerns, I do believe you will discover that their methods and ultimate results seriously conflict with the form of liberalism you truly embrace. If your true goal is to enlighten those on this blog, I would say you are already showing the elitist tendencies that do-gooders from across the spectrum so often employ. It is in fact, a belief, and like most 'true believers' that know 'the way,' they do not see their beliefs as beliefs, but as 'truth'. I think that is what Mike is addressing when he calls atheism a religion -- perhaps 'belief system' is more apropos. Believing YES or Believing NO is still belief. But beliefs are not necessarily religions unless one does not believe but 'knows' and endeavors to 'teach/preach' to others. So while religions are belief-systems, not all belief-systems are religions. However, once POWER is brought into the picture, belief-systems designed to collect power, money, and influence, THEN I would say you have a 'religion.' 'Secular' ideologies that attempt to establish seats and institutions of power are creating a de facto religion whose god is Power itself. And from these fanatics come utopian plans for re-ordering society to make the people 'fit.' As I said, the motives are good, but the solutions are just more of the same tyrannical goals from which the next generation will have to break free. All that you condemn of Christian religions is just as present in a secular centralized government. Call it socialism, call it whatever, but it is not the empowerment of the individual, it is not the liberation of humankind, and it is not 'compassionate' -- it is the very 'maya' eluded to by Buddha -- delusion. Liberation, whether material or spiritual, is ultimately the responsibility of each individual -- collectivist solutions are nothing but a form of mass hypnosis to put faith in immense power -- power in human hands with no more enlightenment than you judge us to not have. Be wary, my friend, to remember that you, too, are as much in 'maya' as the rest of us poor souls -- that is where your compassion and, yes, love may come in handy. Farewell, Robert, and may the 'good lord' take a liking to ya! ;-)

Archer, again, well said.

I believe RBE has returned several times since his post above under different monkiers - RBE, RBESRQ, Robert somewhere in Europe, and a couple others. Glad you came back, Robert!