Offensiveness is a necessary consequence of opinions strongly held and openly expressed, and free societies should treasure and protect it. An idea that offends no one is not worth entertaining.
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In most of history, societies have not been free. It's a very rare society that is free. The default condition of human societies is tyranny.
quote by Michael Novak
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Get Your Opinions Notarized
Everybody has a right,
To express their own opinions.
'I don't object to that at all.
In fact...
I agree.
But to express my opinions,
To someone else?
And without my authorization?
Is disrespectful.'
Why don't you get your opinions notarized,
From now on!
Or better yet...
Certified as being yours.
And only yours to be expressed.
'I never thought about that.
Thanks!
There is something new to learn everyday.'
~I hope he knows you were joking.~
Did you see the look in his eyes?
Like a kid given a brand new toy.
I couldn't break his heart after witnessing that.
Why didn't you tell me to bring my video cam?
~Who knew?
Usually you have it.
Just in case we run across,
Suspected acts of police brutality.~
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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People Are Inclined To Split From It Quick
It's okay.
I am fine with it.
I know any intelligence expressed,
Offends quicker than an ignorance
Accepted and not addressed.
I also know that truth sickens and not mends.
A truth spoken for many is considered wicked.
Although deceiving anyone,
Gets a door to open.
And when that door opens with an allowance done,
People do not fear it.
But from the truth they run.
Leaving the one who comes to speak truth,
Ostracized and shunned because it stuns everyone.
It's okay.
I am fine with it.
I know any intelligence expressed,
Offends quicker than an ignorance.
Accepted and not addressed.
And an avoidance of it,
People are inclined to split from it quick.
Intelligence AND common sense?
Those are the two most forbidden mental elements,
People are taught early to be suspicious of their presence.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Monopoly controls have been the exception in free societies; they have been the rule in closed societies.
quote by Lawrence Lessig
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Free societies are societies in which the right of dissent is protected.
quote by Natan Sharansky
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Be You Pursued
Be you pursued!
This day.
Be you,
With patience kept.
Freed of memories,
Bringing tears to eyes...
Once wept now dry.
Be you pursued!
This day.
With a closed not to openly inspect,
Treasure chest.
Waiting for that special one to come,
And identify a suffering done now overcomed to go.
With a showering of light that bestows clear and cloudless sky.
Be You,
Pursued.
Don't give away what has been given to you,
As a gift...
For all that you have been through.
Reveal that treasured chest to only the best.
To an open heart that connects and sparks start.
Protect your assets.
With the best invest your mind and time.
Be you now pursued!
With a self worth you know is valued.
To be recognized by the one who knows life...
As you do too!
Be you...
Pursued to be cherished.
And be loved by the one for you,
Who is true.
Be you now that one pursued.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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You Are My Treasure
You are my treasure
My warm desire
You are my treasure
Setting my heart on fire
You are my treasure
Worth more than the gold in the sun
You are my treasure
My heart’s number one
You are my treasure
All the riches I’ll ever need
7 March 2007
poem by David Harris
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Protect Me From What I Want
Its that desease of the age
Its that desease that we crave
Alone at the end of the race
We catch the last bus home
Corporate america wakes
Coffee republic in case
We open the latch on the gate
Of the hole that we call our home
Protect me from what I want...
Protect me protect me
Maybe were victims of fate
Remember when wed celebrate
Wed drink and get high until late
And now were all alone
Wedding bells aint gonna chime
With both of us guilty of crime
And both of us sentenced to time
And now were all alone
Protect me from what I want...
Protect me protect me
Protect me from what I want...
Protect me protect me
Protect me from what I want...
Protect me protect me
Protect me from what I want...
Protect me protect me
song performed by by Placebo
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Entertaining these opinions of the course to be pursued, I beg of gentlemen to look at the question, as I have done, in a calm review of facts and of principles.
quote by Caleb Cushing
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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In the arts the way in which an idea is rendered, and the manner in which it is expressed, is much more important than the idea itself.
quote by Jacques-Louis David
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Comfort of Familiarity
The comfort of familiarity,
Should not give some license
To disrespect openly!
Or disregard others living lives,
As they choose their lives to be.
Who gave who rights to be the mortgagor
And the mortgagee of this 'property'!
The comfort of familiarity,
Imposes on those with opinions expressed.
To feel accepted by a few,
Many drool to impress.
Dressed they seek with pretentions shown,
Just to be suppressed by intentions known!
The comfort of familiarity...
Looks for similarity to address!
To produce annoying conflicts enjoyed,
By those addicted to live with unrest!
Instead of encouraging themselves...
To live no less than their best!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Everyone Have Their Opinions
Everyone have their opinions that's how it ought to be
And respect their opinions though with them you may not agree
As long as they respect human rights and a fair go for all
The difference between you and them to say the least is small.
Everyone have their opinions and no two quite the same
Even between those who are known to think alike some difference one can name
That's what makes us most interesting we all think differently
And you are very different so different to me.
Everyone have their own opinions a fact that is well known
And like 'tis said of him or her the words to each their own
To others opinions you should not react in a violent sort of a way
We must allow for difference and let them have their say.
Everyone have their opinions that fact with us remain
And as long with your opinions power over others you don't seek to gain
Though your opinions may be very different to mine
I respect your way of thinking and our difference suits me fine.
poem by Francis Duggan
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This idea, as you know, that I have firm convictions that the idea of issues being a big deal where our mutual friend went back and he felt so strongly that the determining factor in electoral success should be a proven character.
quote by James Stockdale
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Looking For The Nearest Exit
I say, I didn't.
And yet,
You are convinced...
With a hint of offensiveness,
That I did do what was not done.
Attracted I am to facts.
But you don't care a thing about that!
Your approach is to match,
Misunderstandings kept you keep to hatch.
And...
As long as we look the way we look,
That is how we will be evaluated.
Although,
That has absolutely nothing to do with talent!
'WHAT? '
I say, I didn't.
And yet,
You are convinced...
With a hint of offensiveness,
That I did do what was not done.
'WHAT?
Didn't or did do what?
You've lost me! '
Oh?
And I am suppose to be surprised?
Everytime we have a conversation,
You vocalize the same thing.
'You have very few friends,
Don't you? '
And what does that comment made to me mean?
Are your trying to avoid the subject?
'No...
I am actually looking for the nearest exit!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Angels Unaware
Words & music: michael w. smith & wayne kirkpatrick
Maybe there's a light in my soul
Maybe it flickers like a neon sign outside an abandoned hotel
Maybe there are things you just can't know
But can you say there are no mysteries in the house you choose to dwell
Maybe we are entertaining angels unaware
Maybe there's a place where we will fly
But some say god is dead like nietzsche said and faith has made me a fool
But maybe there is more than meets the eye
Who's that stranger there beside you? don't be smug and don't be cruel
Maybe we are entertaining angels unaware
Battles of the heart and of the mind
We stay caught in mental purgatory 'til our existence can be defined
Meanwhile on the shores of parallel
There may be a holy conference held somewhere discussing all mankind
Maybe we are entertaining angels unaware
I say maybe we are entertaining angels unaware
Angels unaware
Soaring, somewhere, longing, reaching
Searching, knowing, loving, caring
Let me take you by the hand
Lead you to the promised land
And trust him with your heart
He'll lead you home
song performed by by Michael W. Smith
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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When we are unwilling to draw clear moral lines between free societies and fear societies, when we are unwilling to call the former good and the latter evil, we will not be able to advance the cause of peace because peace cannot be disconnected from freedom.
quote by Natan Sharansky
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Free People
Some may admit they wish another lover.
Although they've suffered and have since recovered.
Some may admit they wish another lover.
And many underestimate the cost,
The feeling of a loss.
Free people weep alone when undercovers,
Wanting to be held.
Free people weep alone when they discover,
Moaning known too well.
Free people weep alone when undercovers,
Wanting to be held...
Inside when they hide alone,
And there all by themselves.
Some may admit they wish another lover,
But they really don't.
They miss the suffering and being smothered,
By somebody known.
And just to have another troubled lover,
There to condone...
Isn't worth the heartache or the tears that are shown.
Free people weep alone when undercovers,
Wanting to be held.
Free people weep alone when they discover,
Moaning known too well.
Free people weep alone when undercovers,
Wanting to be held...
Inside when they hide alone,
And there all by themselves.
Free people weep alone when undercovers,
Wanting to be held.
Free people weep alone when they discover,
Moaning known too well.
Free people weep alone when undercovers,
Wanting to be held...
Inside when they hide alone,
And there all by themselves.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Our opinions do not really blossom into fruition until we have expressed them to someone else.
quote by Mark Twain
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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An idea in man is first impressed upon him and afterwards expressed in things, but in God it is only expressed, not impressed, because it does not come from anywhere else.
quote by William Ames
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Voice
There's a lot that you preach and say you stand for
Kindness and generosity but you still have to settle a score
Skilled with the a blade sharper than a lethal sword
Freedom of speak, the only weapon you can afford
So many sit in silence as your opinions are shared
Words that are laced with poison but still they truly care
No one can tell just what your tune can truly sell
The only ones free are the ones whose hearing time quells
Yet there is still one whose voice speaks volumes through yours
As silence descends so does the truth hidden before
This other voice speaks and all has been restrained
But in a less violent way as those that you tamed
Violent may not be the correct term to use here
No, maybe I should show them the terror and fear
That held them so restricted in the cold and the dark
Show them the true power of your words possessive mark
So now that they listen to this other voice
Maybe now you can make the right choice
Let them be free for the sake of your soul
Because even though you try to protect, you can't pay that toll
poem by Rebecca Pepper
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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