Freedom comes only with discipline

Dear Editor,

My coffee mates at McDonalds refer to me as a know it all. Maybe they're right. My wife just now stunned me, with a direct question. When she speaks to me in a direct manner, I look the question over. I look around it and I look behind it. I look behind it, because usually, that is where she has set the trap.

She asked me and I quote, what is the definition of Freedom? Let's try to define "Freedom".

-a I have freedom to exercise my rights. I have the right to roar my vehicle with a loud exhaust, through your neighborhood, in the middle of the night.

-b I have the freedom to play my "music" as loud as I want to in my own yard. I don't care if you like it or not.

-c I have the freedom to go to an abortion clinic and have them murder my baby.

-d I have the freedom to slander our troops for fighting an unpopular war.

-e I have the freedom to slander our President, because my party leaders do it too.

Many people believe that we have the freedoms I just mentioned. One of the definitions in my Random House Dictionary (there are five definitions mentioned) the third definition states-exemption from controls and duties.

In a society like ours, exercising freedom as was just defined would result in anarchy. We'd soon have a free for all at every corner. In a civilized society, our freedom comes with strings attached. Our freedom stops where the other person's freedom starts. You have the freedom to smoke. The other person has the freedom not to breathe smoke. These two freedoms are not compatible. Your freedom to enjoy your noise may not infringe on my freedom to enjoy peace and quiet. These two freedoms are not compatible. In a crowded society like ours has become, our freedom comes with responsibility. Your freedom may be enjoyed only if it doesn't encroach on anther's freedom. We are free only as long as we are civil toward others. As the Golden Rule states-Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

This means, we have the freedom to expect respect, from others by the same measure, as we give respect to others.

So, now we learn that freedom is a two sided coin. We give and we receive, "Freedom."

P.S. The lesson I learned-Freedom comes only with discipline.

Thanks for listening,

Robert M. Weyer-Linton