A couple of weeks back, Dispatch columnist Slim Smith wrote, citing Franklin Roosevelt and the Four Freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of worship in one’s own way, freedom of want and freedom from fear.
I do agree with Mr. Smith that the first two are universally accepted in the USA. But my question is how far can one go regarding freedom of speech? According to one current hot news, Alex Jones denied the Sandy Hook tragic incident, and as a result he must pay millions of dollars to the Sandy Hook family members according to a jury verdict. There are many people like Alex Jones, who can make claims such as the sun moves around the earth, or if you die today, you will go to heaven.
Today is different compared to the way things were during Roosevelt’s era. It would be more appropriate if we say freedom of rational speech.
The second point — freedom of worship — is no doubt practiced smoothly in USA. Though Christianity is the major religion in the USA, diversity of religion is very much appreciated here. Even an atheist has no problem.
The freedom of want or poverty will remain forever. No political system can wipe out poverty completely. Poverty is there in every country including communist countries of Russia, China, Cuba and North Korea. Similarly, a country, a race, a community or an individual can’t have freedom of fear. Shangri-La is unachievable.
Need an investment for future
Very recently I was involved in summer teaching in Pennsylvania Governor’s School for Sciences in Pittsburgh. The six-week intensive program was almost free of charge for gifted rising junior and senior students and their parents. Funding comes from the state and private donors.
I am certain this investment will be rewarded one day as Dr. Cherie Labat, former Superintendent of Columbus Municipal School District, rightly said, “If we invest in our students, then we are building a better, stronger, and more compassionate future.”
An unusual friendship with Tofu
I took care of my daughter’s dog, Tofu, for a year. Almost every day, I used to take Tofu for a walk around Columbus’ big catholic church on College Street. Interestingly, Tofu knows where to take a five minute rest in front of that church. I am amazed, seeing this 2-year-old goldendoodle’s intelligence. Tofu understands two languages!
Americans like to have a dog as a pet. Nearly 70 million households own at least one pet dog. There are domestic dogs in most of the countries in the world.
Because of religious beliefs, most Islamic countries have very limited number of dogs, however, dog ownership is completely banned in Maldives.
Tofu reminds me of the superb movie, Hachi. There is no difference between human feelings and dog’s feelings. Ah-ha! If we have the same human to human feelings as we do about our dogs, we all would become enlightened human beings.
Trump’s home-gate vs. Watergate
The Watergate scandal brought down the Nixon presidency. I appreciated it at that time, because Nixon directed the U.S. seventh fleet towards the Bay of Bengal in favor of Pakistan in 1971 to control the Bangladesh liberation war. However, Nixon ultimately withdrew, thanks to diplomacy of Indian Prime minister Indira Gandhi and President Brezhnev of Soviet Union.
Currently we see Trump’s home-gate scandal is getting momentum, which may bar Trump’s 2024 run. DOJ has rightly said, no one is above the law.
Jiben Roy, a native of Bangladesh, teaches chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences at Mississippi University for Women. He writes the occasional column with the assistance of his daughter. His email address is [email protected].
Jiben Roy, a native of Bangladesh, teaches chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences at Mississippi University for Women. His email address is [email protected].
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