Freedom and Liberty

• freedom (noun)- the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hinderance or resistance.
• liberty (noun)- the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views.

Do we really have it in this country (US)? Do we have freedoms and liberties? I say no, we are controlled for everything.

I bring this up for a number of reasons. Mostly to point the hypocrisy that many cry about their freedoms, while oppressing others' liberties. In other words, "as long as I got my liberties, I don't care about yours."

I could write a long laundry list of examples of the insincerity of the people in the US about their freedoms and lack of empathy towards others and their freedoms. I am going to go with following as the lone example;

Colin Kaepernick (I had to look up the spelling), a quarterback for San Francisco 49ers, is expressing himself (using his liberties) to not rise for the playing of the National Anthem because of the inequalities that still exist in this country. Kaepernick is taking a lot of criticism for his actions and will most likely be punished (fined) by the NFL for continuing to follow through with his actions.

I personally think he is being disrespectful, as I will stand for other countries' anthems out of respect. I found what Usain Bolt did during a live interview at the Olympics very noble and he gained much admiration from me for his act in suspending that interview for an anthem being played during a podium presentation (it just happened to be the US).

IMHO, Kaepernick needs to find another mechanism in which to express his displeasure with the state of our country. I support Mr. Kaepernick and believe he is correct, in that there still exists a huge divide in the treatment and equity of certain minority groups in this country. He has a right to express himself anyway he feels to promote his cause. What bothers me even more than his mode of rebellion, are the outspoken critics against him and trying to quash his stand against injustice, proving his point even further.

So, no, we do not have freedoms and liberties in this country, society will not allow it to happen. Society will stomp out anything that expresses opposition to the 'norm', no deviations allowed, it makes everyone uncomfortable.