Letter To Editor: The Death Of Freedom

Dear Editor:

Recently the WFP posted a survey asking if the comments with foul language should be blocked. I have been watching the results with a heavy heart. Approximately twice as many people are for censorship as opposed. I can’t help feel that I was likely the cause of the WFP to question their “free speech” policy. By the looks of the voting, they likely have received numerous complaints.

If the WFP follows through with this change, I feel that this will be start of “The Death Of Freedom”. Free Speech is essential for the advancement of ideas and humanity.

Last year the Red Shirts in Thailand risked their lives to keep their media outlets open. The government shut down a tv station that was broadcasting pro-democracy statements. Citizens from around the country rode mules, bikes, walked, and took over the station in the name of Freedom (some travelled for days). Many were killed by government snipers. Later, several Generals in the Army stood down and sided with the Red Shirts as they refused to kill unarmed protestors. These Generals put their lives on the line when they sided with these civilians. This humanitarianism spread to other countries, most noticeably in Libya when fighter pilots choose to eject from their jets rather than fire on civilians.

This year, the Middle East is seeing Country after Country rise up against their oppressors. This phenomenon has been dubbed as “The Death Of Fear” in the International media. Facebook and the Internet have been great tools for these stories to get out in the public forum. Protests were fuelled by images of a fruit/veggie vendor setting himself aflame after Town Hall refused to return his scales so he could sell his produce and provide for his family. After weeks/months of trying to get his scales and answers from town hall, he was so frustrated he poured gas on himself, and lit a match. If you are familiar with the story, you will know that his town hall abused their power, and was not responsive or accountable to its citizens.

Numerous journalists have been killed while trying to cover these protests. They are willing to put their lives on the line to ensure that people’s voices are heard. They are willing to die defending free speech in countries they have never set foot in before. These aren’t armed soldiers….journalists with cameras and pens dodging gunfire, so people they don’t know can have their voices/stories heard.

Wars are fought for Freedom, and many have died so we can enjoy the rights we currently have. Denying free speech is an offence to those that have made the ultimate sacrifice defending our Freedoms, and the Freedoms of future generations.

As Canadians, we are spoiled and don’t appreciate the huge bounty our Country and society provide us. Our pampered lifestyle makes it so we don’t appreciate things until they are gone. We are too lazy to show up to Town Council meetings to support the Councillors that we voted for. Your democratic responsibilities do not end at the voting booth! I have not meet one person in town that is happy with the status-quo, yet only two or three people show up to town hall meetings.

Please take the time to help make our town better by showing up to Council meetings and letting Council know what you want changed in our town. Bernie Bailey is trying his hardest to initiate change, but he needs your support, or it will be another 3 years of this stagnation…mainly because the other Councillors are terrified of litigation from town employees and choose to do nothing, as it is currently the “path of least resistance”.

Of course, if you like the highest property tax rate in Ontario, high youth crime rates, leaky daycare roofs, Wingham drunk drivers and other criminals not being exposed, paying to drop tagged bags of garbage off at the dump, a complex that loses money etc…..by all means keep sitting on your ass and watch our town spiral down the toilet.

RIP Hiro Muramoto – Defender of Freedom. Shot and killed on April 10, 2010 while covering Thai protests.

PS: I have the right to say what I want to say….you also have the right not to listen!

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