The Truth that Dare Not Speak its Name

This is a suggestion posted in an earlier thread here and I think it’s a good one.  It also poses a great question.  Do you want to live in America where every one is afraid to speak their mind?

Perhaps people should conspire to run an ad about this chill. It could begin, “This election, why are so many people afraid to put up signs or talk politics with their family, friends, neighbors, or co-workers? [Video could cue on vandalized property and newspaper clippings on Oviolence such as the women attacked at the subway station.] Why are people behaving so uncivilly? [Video on photos of Sarah Palin is a C people, the Nailin’ Palin porn video, and the Sarah Palin blow up love doll.] Do you want to live in an America where people are afraid to speak their mind?

I’m thinking out loud. What do you think?

For months, PUMAs have been discussing the personal attacks we’ve endured since the campaign.  We endured them as Hillary supporters in the primary.  We’ve discussed the vehement attacks and threats on Tavis Smiley and many blacks who either maintain a neutral or slightly critical view of Obama.  I read that Micheal Reagan, conservative commentator and son of one of my least favorite presidents, will not appear on MSNBC any more because of the number of death threats he gets.

Is this America or some kind of fascist state?

What happened to our right to dissent?  Where can we find that most American of Values–the right to free speech?  Why is it that some many of us have completely given up on putting bumper stickers on our cars, hanging out with old friends, or even showing an inkling of outrage for the misogyny directed at Sarah Palin?  What is going on here?

I think almost all of us, at one time or another, have talked about our reticence to mention that we’re not supporting Obama.  It is because we are attacked personally or we just get some kind of shrieking LALALA from friends and family who stick their fingers in their ears now when we come around with facts.  What is the deal with this?

So, ask yourself what Steve Mather asks:  Is this the kind of America we want to live in?

Then ask yourself this:  How can we stop the suppression of free speech and thought before it cannot be stopped?