There are many definitions of the word freedom -most using the word liberty which seems suspect- the definition I keep returning too is: The power to determine action without restraint. Many of the other definitions appear to be extensions of this core concept. I have a particular fondness to the wording of this definition as well. The specific use of the word power, not ability, seems most appropriate. Freedom (and liberty as I found out) is a condition of having some amount of power, therefore it is incredibly unfortunate that the continued use of the word freedom by politicians and bombastic news media have stripped the power that this word once held and made nothing more than a simple ejaculatory slogan.
Liberty has a similar definition: The right and power to act, believe, or express oneself in a manner of one's own choosing. The oddity about the other definitions of the word liberty is that most include the word freedom, which, again, seems suspect. This means that the two words are intrinsically entwined in one another's definitions. So, if we as a culture are going to strap freedom to a chair, break freedom's toes, split freedom's fingers, gouge freedom's eyes and slice open freedom's belly; then we are going to have to tell liberty to sit down and we'll get to her next.
Why do I give a shit? Well, I am beginning to believe that the power of the words used to describe the actions can be just as, or more, important as the actions themselves.
Example: (remember folks this is possibly an unjustified leap, but I like it.) Eventually, when one says they are free it will probably just mean they are going out to go shopping.
Crazy politicians and fox news are right to some extent; freedom is important, but remember freedom is something worth fighting our own government for not people who live thousands of miles away. Remember people, if and when we kill ALL the terrorists that does not mean our fight for freedom is over it means it hasn't started.
Christ, I hate being serious. I'm going to go eat cookies and watch porn now....ciao!
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Rove must have been feeling the pressure of siege of the White House on this matter on his fine figure. If he had stayed longer, then maybe he would have dropped that extra fifty pounds he is carrying around.
I think I'll have some cookies myself, but I'll pass on the porn.
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