Telling the minister or judge “maybe” won’t get you married. A license is just a blank piece of paper. Better say “I do” ‘cause that gets you a spouse. Otherwise, you’re only partners.
Words make a difference. Verbal words can have added nuance by altering the impact. You’re either lying or telling the truth.
Written words, now under assault, stand up and speak back. If you don’t like what is written, just don’t read it. Step away, period.
Criticism indicates give and take between a writer and a reader. Censorship is a black stamp. Begone!
Call it criticism or call it censorship, both involve words and how you interpret them.
Some may think this column is criticism, but others (hopefully) realize that it’s one woke lady’s opinion. You have one too, but I haven’t restricted your opinion. That’s called give and take.
The First Amendment of our Constitution for 250 years has guaranteed our freedoms of speech and press, all words. Wonderful, vital and beautiful freedoms!
All are now under assault, by one man. Today I’m trying to protect words and your right to read them.
Since I’m feisty, I resist. If we don’t fight back for our basic freedoms, we’re headed for a gulag.
That’s where Russia and other dictators banish anyone who disagrees. Like DJT#47 and his DOGE guys kidnapping and sending non-citizens to distant countries without any due process.
Dictators don’t care what anyone else wants; they want to control each and every person under their dominion. Alleged crimes in America have always received due process. Until now.
Scientology does much the same. “The Handmaid’s Tale” is another expose of fascist horrors. A madman takes over everything until average people die or decide to resist.
Now libraries, the repository of words and ideas, are under attack. A recent executive order from the Oval Office is cutting funds for libraries that he considers “unnecessary”.
The entire staff of the Institute of Museum and Library Services was placed on administrative leave, according to the Associated Press. Rural libraries are imminently dangerous because
they keep a scattered population informed.
The AP has also been banned from covering news at the White House because DJT#47 doesn’t like dissidents, such as reporters, who don’t report news “fairly”.
Funds have also been cut to Public Broadcasting, Radio Free Europe and all the verbal news sources that the entire world depends upon. For that matter, professional organizations across the globe have been punished for cooperating with American institutional colleagues.
DJT#47 has punished foreign countries for selling any banned products to states that may allow medical procedures or even vaccines, regardless of their uses. America’s Dictator demands Total Control of Everything.
All of this “NO” trickles down, which is what prompted this column. I love words, books, things that are meaningful, which includes Little Free Libraries. Full disclosure: I’m a Friend of Libraries and have helped plant a few of those cute little boxes around this area.
I try to check on them as I make my rounds and deposit printed items when I finish them, straightening shelves to make room.
So I was taken aback when I found one box cleaned out. Empty. Not one single tattered comic book, child’s book or romance novel inside. Naked as a jaybird.
What on earth? Then the nefarious thought smacked me -- an Idea Dictator was on the loose. They’re like Book Burners, which Hitler and his Nazis used to remove thousands of books across Europe.
When any dictator removes words (that IS information) it stunts citizens’ ability to resist and thus easier to control.
If any of this sounds an alarm, it’s your call to resist the encroachment on your own freedoms. Fight for those personal values you treasure. If you don’t, who will?
This is a Holy Week acknowledging the One Man who does matter – Jesus – and paying homage to God, who controls the Universe. Not a politician.
Whatever your faith beliefs, use this as a reminder to vote in local elections happening now. We are Ground Zero for fighting back.
Shelly has worn more hats in the communications field than Carter has pills but forgot to retire when she closed her promotions business. She earned a BA in Journalism at NTSU (before it became UNT) and has never lost her love of words.