Freedom of speech
Yes
You can say anything
So it seems
Anything at all
But is it the same thing
As freedom
To make everyone hear
What you have to say?
Does listener have freedom
To not hear things
Filter out the offensive
Before sounds waves reach the eardrums?
How about images or pictures
Can a person not see
What is on the paper or screen
While looking at it if not blind?
Freedom of press
Yes
You can print anything
So it seems
Anything at all
What about freedom
To jump off the bridge?
Yes
You are free to jump
But why not?
Don't want to hurt yourself?
But you are free to do so
If you so desire
What about freedom
To eat anything you want?
Yes
Try some stir fried worms
But why not?
Don't like it?
But you are free to eat it
If you so desire
Can you make someone else
To jump off the bridge?
Or eat the stir fried worms?
No?
You are free to say whatever
To print whatever
Right?
Absolutely
But while you cannot make others
To jump off the bridge
Or eat the monkey brain
If they don't want to
Why is it ok
To make others hear
What they don't want to hear
To make others see
What they don't want to see?
Is that freedom?
Or oppression?
You cannot stick your arm
Into the lion's den
And expect the lion
To respect your freedom
