My cage confines me all around;
Abroad I cannot fly;
But though my wing is closely bound,
My heart’s at liberty.
My prison wall cannot control
The flight, the freedom, of the soul.
Jeanne Marie de la Motte-Guyon
Two kinds of vetos threaten freedom in our world today, according to this month’s issue of The Economist–“the assassin’s veto” and the “heckler’s veto.” Death threats–the ultimate appeal to force–limit the freedom of news entities and private citizens. Hecklers shout down those who disagree.
The tightening noose of limits on speech are not just overseas and not just from violently radical elements.
This turn of events puts us under the shadow of bully nations of the world. The gaggle of “usual suspects” comes to mind. There are the radical Muslim entities–“state and non-state” oppressors. And in China, where liberty had been growing, a recent “anti-corruption” law now limits freedom of speech and assembly as well. Continue Reading…