Freedom

[SpiritAlight 1]

Since this is a huge word (freedom) and carries much weight, I have been quite curious (go figure).

So, please elaborate on your viewpoints of what freedom you might have had in your country (or country you visited) compared with the U.S..

For example, when I visited Greece, I love that people could ride entire families on a scooter, if they felt so inclined.

I even saw two enterprising young men deliver/move a sofa on a scooter!

I did. Hahaha!

Try that in the U.S..

Bah!

There are so many levels of freedom.

For example: people's rights, self-expression, etc.

Are people truly "free" in the U.S.?

[Gemmie 142]

I have this discussion with my boy.

How the US claims to be "Land of the Free", though it seems everything but.. at least to me. I often have to be careful about what I say because people aren't as verbally open in the US. It's all about being politically correct, censorship, etc. Here in the UK, people pretty much say what they like and Bill found that shocking when he visited. Even on the TV there are huge differences in what the US allows compared to the UK. Huge chunks of shows are often cut out, words bleeped, no nudity...

The legal ages to have sex, drink, vote etc are also older in comparison, so you're not really "free" in every respect as an adult even at the age of 18 when you're considered an adult.

Of course being "free" could also mean having the right to safety, and I always feel very safe in the US. I don't fear for my life if I do or say something unusual which is always a very good thing.

You're allowed to buy a gun in the US which can be considered as an expression as freedom by some but I understand they find it quite strange that people in the UK can buy fireworks from their local store.

[SpiritAlight 1]

Thanks for responding Gemmie.

And the censorship on TV and radio is way lass in Canada too....not to mention that Canadians make so much fun of themselves and even/especially the politicians that taking oneself seriously in Canada may just be a crime!

This is a good thing.

Again, one of my favourite expressions:

Life is far too important to be taken seriously. ~ Winnie the Pooh

Hee, hee.

Hey, I have told my sweetie that he won't understand the word freedom until he goes to Southern Baja and rides a scooter with a goat aboard.

Hahaha...this is me and my musings...

People are protected from themselves here in grand ol' U.S. of A.

Too bad...

Edited October 6, 2008 by SpiritAlight

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I've only lived in the US and India and both countries are more or less free in their own distinctive ways.

I'd explain but I don't feel like it right now.

[Heracles 417]

Are you allowed to walk all over someone in the UK as you pretty much are here? Am I allowed to go out in London and harass others and then call this my 1st amendment? If anything I think freedom here has gone too far. Where one can harm another and hide under the first amendment.

Where one can be hateful and hide under the 1st amendment. Half the #### the crooks pull here would never be tolerated in Australia or London.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I've only lived in the US and India and both countries are more or less free in their own distinctive ways.

I'd explain but I don't feel like it right now.

Agreed brother AJ. I've live in 3 countries, and I felt free in some ways and constrained in others.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I think what a lot of people call freedom, I'd consider anarchy.

[pedroh 21]

why do you all hate America questioning it's freedom?

[mawilson 2,133]

You can't even fart in the UK without being filmed by 10,000 hidden cameras. Somehow that doesn't make me feel very "free".

Racist / hate speech is illegal in (some parts of?) Europe, it's perfectly legal here. 1st Amendment rocks!

Freedom to own a gun? You can forget about it in Europe. Thank you, 2nd Amendment!

[Heracles 417]

To be honest though I would not want the status quo American perception of freedom in Australia. I am more than happy with a government which draws the line somewhere rather following jungle rules. Where one can piss on another yet hide under the 1st amendment.

The 1st amendment has been misused and taken out of context anyway. It obviously was initially about freedom to express political views but has now been bastardized to represent an anything goes get out of jail rule.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

... has now been bastardized to represent an anything goes get out of jail rule.

Which is why our jails are empty, since anything goes

[Marilyn. 340]

... has now been bastardized to represent an anything goes get out of jail rule.

Which is why our jails are empty, since anything goes

I was just going to say that very thing...

[Heracles 417]

... has now been bastardized to represent an anything goes get out of jail rule.

Which is why our jails are empty, since anything goes

Yet still one of the highest crime rates in the developed world.

Ghettos, for example, are not viewed as freedom of expression back in Aus.. Counties have the right to tell you to get your #### together or they bulldoze your house.

Edited October 6, 2008 by Aficionado

[LoriLawless 0]

I take it your wife is against moving to Aus?

[mawilson 2,133]

Ghettos, for example, are not viewed as freedom of expression back in Aus.. Counties have the right to tell you to get your #### together or they bulldoze your house.

That's awesome. Israel uses the same approach in the West Bank