What’s an opinion worth?
If it’s yours—probably a lot. If it’s someone else’s- –maybe not so much. It doesn’t matter. Thankfully, in this country, under our system of government, individual opinions cannot be subverted by those who disagree with them. The first amendment of the constitution of the United States of America guarantees freedom of speech to its citizens.
Over the years, some changes have been made to the First Amendment. For example, we don’t have the right “to incite actions that would harm others,” such as shouting ‘fire’ in a crowded theatre, but, basically the right to free speech stands.
Everyone has the right to an opinion.
What exactly is an opinion? My Webster’s dictionary states 1. a belief not based on certainty but on what seems true or probable 2. An evaluation, estimation 3. A formal expert judgment.
An on-line Cambridge Dictionary gives 3 definitions: 1. A thought or belief about something or someone 2. The thoughts or beliefs that a group of people have, 3. A judgment made by an expert.
I’ve been a columnist at this paper for over 20 years. I’m not a news reporter. I write opinion columns. I write about many topics and my reactions to them and, often, my opinions of them.
You don’t have to read my columns. You don’t have to like my columns. You don’t have to agree with them.
You may write letters to the editor. You may argue about semantics or ideas. You may even practice name-calling, but shutting down the opposition is not what we do in this country.
You may vehemently disagree with my opinions. That is your right, but you cannot arbitrarily shut me or anyone else up. When that happens, we no longer live in a democratic republic. Intolerance of differing beliefs belongs to other systems, for example, Marxist, autocratic, dictatorial or even monarchical.
Seems to me that an opinion is a subjective thing, and, thankfully, something to which USA citizens are entitled. As long as we live under this system, I will continue my columns.
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