Restoring Honor

Today Glenn Beck held his "Restoring Honor" rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.  Of course, the loons who do not like Mr. Beck railed against his rally, especially the choice of date.  Fifty-seven years ago today, Martin Luther King, Jr, gave his famous "I have a dream" speech.  You can make your own determination about the choice of date.  I will use these loons' message to make my own.

Even if you disagree with Glenn Beck's political views or his choice of venue and date, you should at least agree with his message today.  At least I hope you do.  "Restoring Honor" is a message many people need to hear and to understand.  Too often nowadays, people are not treating others with any honor.  We need to restore honor to our society and to our Country.

The last year we have seen a myriad of issues thrust into the national spotlight.  The illegal immigration debate, the proposed Muslim Community Center near Ground Zero in Manhattan, and healthcare are some of issues which have divided the nation.  Some of the words utilized by people on both sides of the issues call into question the honor of the people who have spoken those words.

One of the principles our Country was founded on was principle that the people should be allowed to speak freely about their government.  The concept of free speech is included four times in the First Amendment.  First, "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech."  Second, "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom...of the press."  Third, "Congress shall make no law...abridging...the right of the people peaceably to assemble."  Lastly, "Congress shall make no law...abridging...the right of the people...to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Four different statements which affirm the right of the people to speak their mind about the government.  This fact should resonate loudly how important the principle was to the Founding Fathers.  Yet, everyday, someone tries to stifle the speech of someone else.  And the manner of doing so is very nefarious.

This past week I saw some pictures from demonstrations over the proposed Muslim Community Center in Manhattan.  Some of the signs called those who oppose the building are "racists."  The demonstrations over illegal immigration included the same signs.  Rep. Grayson (how anyone could vote for this guy is beyond me) said the Republicans who opposed President Obama's takeover of healthcare wanted those who are sick to "die quickly."

This rhetoric of labeling opponents as "haters" or "racists" or whatever other despicable term can be chosen needs to stop.  Healthy debate over topics, even decisive ones, is needed.  The airing of opposition based on facts and viable opinions is needed.  Defaming the opponent is not needed.

It should be viewed as dishonorable to label your opponents for disagreeing with you, especially when the labels of "hater" and "racist" are utilized.  These labels do not add to the debate.  As far as I'm concerned, the labels are a covert method of abridging free speech.  I think it is reasonable to expect, the reasonable person might not speak up if the person is afraid of being labeled something despicable.  This is no different than the fear of speaking up because there is a law against it.

Bringing emotion into the debate has only one purpose - to incite violence.  Loathe the person who decides to label an opponent so that violence happens in the hopes the person's viewpoint wins.  The labeling of opponents with spiteful words needs to end! 

We need to view honor in the same light as trust and integrity.  When someone loses trust or violates his or her integrity, that person does not get those attributes restored for a long time, if at all.  The Japanese used to commit suicide over losing honor.  I don't think we need to go to those extremes, but it would behoove us to have a similar view - losing honor is not desirable.  If someone violates honor, that person should not be treated like someone who possesses honor.  We should shun them and treat them different.

America needs to restore Her Honor.  We need to respect the viewpoint of each other and not rely on name calling to make our point.  Glenn Beck is right.  Take the honorable route.....

Mike