this is a free country?

When I was a child I was taught that living in a free country meant that we as citizens could do whatever we wish as long as we don’t hurt someone else. A simple explanation meant for a child perhaps but a better one I have never heard.
But does it still apply?

“A Stuart Middle School teacher has been removed from the classroom after he burned two American flags in class during a lesson on freedom of speech, Jefferson County Public Schools officials said.
Dan Holden, who teaches seventh-grade social studies, burned small flags in two different classes Friday and asked students to write an opinion paper about it, district spokeswoman Lauren Roberts said.”
By Chris Kenning
The Courier-Journal

Do I find it annoying when someone burns a flag, sure? Would I do it, no. But can you think of anyway better to spark thought and opinions from middle school students on the topic of free speech?
Assuming he took precautions on fire safety, whom exactly did he hurt?

“A coalition of 13 conservative groups — including the Family Research Council and Concerned Women for America — took out full-page ads in some editions of USA Today earlier this month urging the Justice Department and FBI to investigate whether some of the pay-per-view movies widely available in hotels violate federal and state obscenity laws.
The leader of the campaign against in-room porn is Phil Burress, a self-described former porn addict who heads the Cincinnati-based Citizens for Community Values.
Burress and his allies have had some success regionally, pressuring about 15 Ohio and Kentucky hotels to stop offering adult movies. But he says a nationwide pressure campaign would be difficult because nearly all the big hotel chains have similar policies — porn is available at some but not all of their affiliates.
Though unable to cite specific cases, Burress contended that the availability of in-room porn is making hotels more dangerous.
Justice Department spokesman Bryan Sierra said federal authorities are committed to toughening enforcement of obscenity laws, but he declined to comment on specific targets for investigations.”
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Associated Press

Lets see alone in a hotel room watching a spicy movie. The shock of it all!! Hotels more dangerous? What a surprise he didn’t have any specific cases. Come on people this is the ultimate in private no one’s business harmless activity.

“U.S. Sen. George V. Voinovich was at his passionate best when he met recently with Vindicator writers to urge defeat of a statewide ballot initiative in November that would open the door to casino-style gambling in Ohio. Voinvoich, former governor and former mayor of Cleveland, couched his opposition in a simple, but powerful statement: "It's about protecting the family."

http://www.vindy.com/content/opinion/bertram/308377918557126.php

Yes those evil slot machines. Again if one chooses to gamble, if one enjoys gambling who are they hurting. Don’t cite the evils of gambling addiction to me, yes there are addictions to lots of things, and if you do any of those things to excess you can affect someone else negatively. But Las Vegas, Bingo halls and state lotteries have made a lot of money from the majority of people who just enjoy playing a little from time to time.

When exactly did we give our government the authority to protect us from being stupid?

“Ken Blackwell was Ohio's only statewide officeholder who not only supported the Marriage Amendment but actively campaigned for it. He didn't just say he was for marriage between one man and one woman but he helped lead the charge. While Ken’s primary opponent, Jim Petro, openly opposed the Amendment, Ken on the other hand was the campaign’s spokesman.”

Phil Burress Citizens for Community Values Action Political Action Committee

Yes the same Phil “former porn addicted” Burress cited above. So let me see if I have got this straight, it’s a free country as long as we don’t do anything outside of Phil’s moral beliefs.

Our constitution not only made us free but it also specifically prohibits people like Phil Burress from imposing their moral will on other citizens.

I don’t care if the same sex couple across the street are roommates, lovers or sisters. It doesn’t affect me, hurt me or is any of my business whatsoever. If they want to make a commitment based on love and devotion to each other, in my opinion that would make them more likely to be good neighbors.


“Columbus-March10, 2005 Today the American Cancer Society launches a campaign called SmokeFreeOhio.org to let Ohio voters decide to make the state smoke-free in 2006”
smokefreeohio.org

Oh yes protect us from ourselves please, because clearly the restaurant and tavern owners can’t decide for themselves what is better for business. That the poor choice less consumers can’t choose on their own whether they prefer to dine or drink at a place that allows or doesn’t allow smoking. But don’t forget those workers they are protecting because we all know that waitress and bartending jobs are so rare that one may be forced to work in one that allows smokers.

Once it was Republicans that always promoted a desire to keep government out of our lives where it doesn’t belong. Quite clearly that party has been taken over by those wish to impose their will and their morals on us all.

Is it a free country? It is becoming less so every day.