INSTIGATING LOGIC
Losing control
By JARED PUTNAM

Control is a funny thing. I think we all want more of it, but maybe that is only because we have so little of it.

In families, children are often upset because they don't have control. Parents can get upset because they eventually lose control of their children. Marriages can be destroyed over a power struggle, a fight for control.

Our own health is often beyond our control. No matter how much we eat right or exercise, we can't control a predisposition to heart disease or a drunk driver that could hit us on the way home.

Having so little control over so many things, its no wonder that people often develop an unhealthy obsession with it. For that reason alone, it is nice that in our country we have rights such as free speech. I take it for granted much of the time, especially until I'm reminded of just how deprived of it middle Eastern countries tend to be.

But occasionally I even notice that right here at home, people come up with some very strange ideas about free speech, and how much they would like to control it.

There seems to be constant banter about who should even be allowed to voice their opinion on any given subject. Maybe the better question is, how arrogant does someone have to be to think they get to decide that?

At present I have a hard time keeping track of who is "qualified" enough to speak out. I keep hoping some of the people who want to decide that will hand out convenient little questionairres so we can better know who can voice an opinion.

Are you a resident? Were you born here? How many generations does your family trace back? Do you prefer salad or slaw? If you could be any animal, what animal would you be?

I also expect a few bonus questions. After all, my great, great, great grandaddy lived in Union County, fought in The Civil War, and is buried here. Do I get extra points for that?

I will say that I am thankful that the subject is kept in the realm of humor by the fact that sometimes, the ones criticizing the "outsiders" have not been here very long themselves. You just might not know that from everything you hear or read. Every once in a while you run across someone that seems thoroughly convinced that they discovered, settled, and founded the county.

What's even worse is that is just one part of the argument. Things get really messy when we start talking change. Is it really that dangerous when differing opinions are being offered up? Do we need someone to police the situation, declaring what ideas are efforts toward improving the community and condemning the opinions that (they feel) too closely border criticizing the system?

Probably not. Again, it's free speech, and until someone is sworn in as free speech police, its perfectly safe for everyone to continue saying whatever is on their mind about whatever subject they want. I honestly doubt that any of us will lose sleep knowing that not everyone is completely on board with that concept.

Just bear in mind that some people love the sound of their own voice so much that they simply don't want to hear what anyone with a different opinion has to say. Those people should take note of the Fidel Castro situation. It sounds like there might soon be an opening available in Cuba.