I understand the current situation.
I have been under the impression that all of us can have an opinion and that our opinions, good or bad, are a fundamental right. Opinions are distinct from actions. Opinions have something to do with free speech. Actions are strictly enforced by laws.
Here are a few of my opinions. I believe the ACA increases the cost of health care for everyone. I do not like advertising on TV. I believe it is silly. I believe customer service at Sprint is poor. I recognize that I am restricted by many laws with respect to speech, such as, I am forbidden to incite a riot by yelling "fire", when there is no fire, in a crowded movie theater. I am aware of laws against harmful actions by me, but I am aware of no laws controlling my opinions. Some of my opinions I am told are stupid, irrational and blunt. You do not have to associate with me if you do not like my opinions. As such, I understand if you ostracize me because you feel my opinions are offensive to you. That is your right.
Additionally, I am aware that my emails and my phone conversations are recorded and stored in a cloud somewhere, only to be accessed if there is reason to suspect that I am, or someone I communicate with is, a threat to national security. I believe that no group speaks for me, least of all congress or my elected representatives. And further that if someone should express an opinion that is offensive to me, no "group" would rise to my defense because I am not a member of a "group." On the contrary, if I express an opinion offensive to a group, then that group would rise to punish me. I would have no defense because I apparently have no fundamental right to my own opinion.
I believe you have a right to your opinion except when you believe that your opinion rights extend to restricting my rights to my own opinion. My opinion may infuriate you and yours may infuriate me, but to restrict either of our rights to have our own subjective opinion is a downhill slide to utter silence.
This is my opinion.
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