[EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a Letter to the Editor, written by a Reader. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The B-Town Blog nor its staff:]
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
This country was founded on the right of every individual to have freedom of speech. It is our first amendment right to have the privilege to speak our mind. Others may not agree with what we say but they do not have the right to muzzle us because they are fearful as to what truths may become public. The right to freedom of speech allows individuals to express themselves without interference or constraint by the government.
They cannot justify their fear by omitting the truth and they cannot make the truth go away merely by denying that it exists. The saying that the ‘truth always comes out’ is correct because with the natural law of the universe comes the energy that bestows light on the truth as it guides us to do the right thing.
The truth guides our conscience to do good for others and by denying the truth, we are lying to ourselves. That may feel good in the short term but ultimately we all face the truth in one way or another.
When politicians try to cover up the real reasons for their actions and try to make their constituency believe what they want, the truth is ultimately revealed. Lying by omission does not make a lie a truth; it merely means that the fear of the liar prevents the truth from coming out at that time. When the written word is prevented from being published, because it might sway the public one way or another, the truth is revealed because of the lack of balance in the presentation. There are always two sides to every story and when the public doesn’t hear both sides of the story, the questions come fast and furious as to ‘what is the rest of story?’
In this case, there was a PRO statement published in the last issue of the Normandy Park City Scene Magazine regarding the Highline School District’s Bond Measure but there wasn’t a CON statement. Since there shouldn’t have been a PRO statement published in the first place, putting out a CON statement would also not be allowed because according to the NP City Attorney and the other legal beagle that the NP City Council uses, two wrongs don’t make a right. Therefore, it was up to the astute citizenry of Normandy Park to listen to the local voices of those who were campaigning for or against the Highline Bond Measure and make up their own minds.
We must all feel that our opinions are valued and we should have the right to stand up and state our opinions in the classroom, council meeting, office or at home. No one should feel that they are being oppressed because they can not speak their mind. It is their very right as an American citizen to exercise their voice and not be ignored. It is illegal and unjust and downright wrong. I may not agree with you but I will fight to the death to make sure that you can be heard.
So when you feel the need say the truth, do so without malice and contempt so that it is understood without malice and contempt. Truth can stand alone because it is a fact. The written word is no exception and even if it is an inconvenient truth, it is still the truth and worth publishing for all to read.
– Karen Steele
26 year resident of Normandy Park
FREEDOM OF SPEECH[Have an opinion or concern you'd like to share with our ~80,000+ monthly Readers? Please send us your Letter to the Editor via email. Include your full name, please remain civil and, pending our review, we'll most likely publish it.]