Will someone please define "freedom" for me?

[Skip Intro]

Exactly what is that, the thing we tell ourselves (under repuke rule) that we have the right to force onto other nations, with force?

What is it when you hear joe lieberman or bush or cheney or some Dems I'm sure. what is it that they're talking about when they talk about freedom?


Such a general term. When I hear it used in defense of indefensible war; when I hear it used as the glorious catch-all phrase in political ads; when I hear it sung about, I don't know. Is it just some never-before-defined term brainwashed into us as the end all be all, though nobody knows exactly what it is kind of thing?


Freedom from what? Freedom to do what?

And do we really even have it?


I'm rambling this morning....

[Liberal Veteran]

1. Freedom's just another word for "nothing left to lose"

:shrug:

[Skip Intro]

2. beautiful cats

I'm sure there's a better word, beautiful seems almost inadequte.


Gorgeous.

Nice cats.

[Jade Fox]

3. That's the problem.....

It means different things to different people. As you point out, the word has been abused by politicians until it has become rather meaningless.

I think to a lot of Conservatives freedom means having no obligations to others, or restrictions on taking what they want--not having to accommodate others in any way. Also, Conservatives tend to feel restricted, even when they are not. Example: even though in the US Christians are a huge majority, many of the feel embattled because Americans of other religions/cultures want some recognition too.

[Jonathan50]

4. My definition of freedom

The ability to do as I please without threat of legal sanction unless or until I violate the rights of another person.

And not being "offended" is not a right.

[lligrd]

5. All I Know Is That The Kind Of "Freedom" This

administration is advocating is nothing I want!

[erpowers]

6. Freedom Defined

Freedom is the ability to live your life as you please without someone forcing you to do certain things or preventing you from doing certain things. Freedom does not encompass doing every thing you want to do. For instance, a person is not free to shoot people just because they think it is cool.

I think we still have freedom; however, there are those who seem to want to take some of that freedom away. I think it should always be remembered that many political writers have said that the people who wish to take freedom away from people will always talk about freedom while trying to take it away. I believe Sinclair Lewis said "When Fascism come to America it will be draped in a flag and carrying a cross". I do not completely agree with Lewis, but that is what he said. It was also said that "patriotism was the last resort of scoundrels".

I think the reason we hear so much about freedom from those who may be trying to take freedom away from people is that they realize people will not support having freedom taken away if they are outright told freedoms will be taken away. Therefore, they have to tell people they are trying to give freedom. People must be told that freedom will be given, but in order to be stay safe one freedom or certain freedoms may have to be taken away.

[many a good man]

7. "Freedom" = freedom to pursue American imperial objectives around the world

without constraint. The constraints are international law and democratic institutions.

Whenever you read or hear conservatives or liberal hawks mention the word "freedom" think of it in this sense and you will always understand EXACTLY what they mean.

When viewed in this context you can see how it is true that our troops are currently in Iraq fighting for our freedom.

[ngant17]

8. "Freedom is the appreciation of necessity"

Karl Marx's definition. Still the best one I have found.

[mntleo2]

9. Many Years Ago ...

...my high school history teacher explained freedom this way: He stood in the middle of the room, made a fist and then put his arm out at shoulder level. then he turned around in a circle with his arm outstretched. He said as he turned around, "Freedom extends to the place where my hand legally hits someone else's nose ..."

It is this gauge I have tried to use whenever I am wondering if something is infringing on someone else's rights. For instance I do not think it hits anyone's nose when two gay people marry, even though s whole lot of people yell, "Ouch!" No matter how much they scream. If it did then it would curb heterosexual married people's legal rights in some way, but I do not see where it does. they can still marry, they have the same property and custody rights, they can still sign papers for their spouses should they be in a coma, what rights of married people does it curb? I am straight and I don't see where my rights would be violated, that I can see.

So anyways, this is what my history teacher said, and 40 years later it is holding true even while legal rights are being corrupted, because the very corruption of those laws is hitting ME in the nose

OUCH!

Cat in Seattle

[iamahaingttta]

10. Freedom to buy and sell...

...inside the free market. Except for things that are icky.

That's all they care about.

[Odin2005]

11. It is the "open society"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_society

[WinkyDink]

12. Freedom to WORK like a dog to BUY crap. Period.