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Freedom Of Speech

freedom of speech is our right ~ don't defame those that don't agree with you

freedomrightsmonoku

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Jennifer Proxenos

February 27, 2026 at 2:03 PM

Hear hear! I love what you say. No one person should always have their way, well said Tom. But bullying and criticism seems to be the order of the day. Hugs Jennifer

Tom Cunningham

February 27, 2026 at 4:31 PM

Thank you very much Jennifer. We see it world wide,lack of respect for others has diminished and bullying seems to be the norm. Hope you and your family are well. Tom

Ink Empress

February 24, 2026 at 8:38 AM

So true, dear Tom ~ especially when it comes to things like politics. It’s sad when some defame others over differences in beliefs. We should learn to respect individual differences and others’ opinions. My only wish is that, sometimes, people would be kind and gentle when stating their views in sensitive situations. It was a pleasure reading you today. Sending you light always.

Tom Cunningham

February 24, 2026 at 9:35 AM

Thank you very much I E, it's a shame some don't respect others who do not share their views, it's my way or no way instead of finding some common ground. Tom

Joe Maverick

February 21, 2026 at 11:51 AM

Its nessesary to have freedom of speech, Tom . Very true which tests by its existence The attributes of the exponents..' what Will be a 'reef in the harbour' is how others view the expressions of each speaker or artist.' If a true point is highlighted about another.' If it causes Offence ( even though a true remark ) The un-fair person will no hesitate to Complain on grounds of bias and malice.' Its part of the reality.' That is Just the way it will stand.'

Tom Cunningham

February 21, 2026 at 1:08 PM

Thank you Joe, we all have differences and we should respect others may have views that don't agree with our own. Hope your weekend is going well. Tom

Joanna Daniel

February 21, 2026 at 9:09 AM

Yep, totally:)

Tom Cunningham

February 22, 2026 at 4:59 PM

Thank you Joanna. Tom

Joseph May

February 19, 2026 at 5:19 PM

So true Tom, Freedom itself is under attack in many places

Tom Cunningham

February 20, 2026 at 3:53 AM

Thank you Joseph, we've only got to look around the world to see freedom of speech banned in countries like Russia, Nth Korea etc. The people are silent. Tom

Tania Kitchin

February 19, 2026 at 5:07 PM

Tom wise words and a great poem. It's a shame some don't take the hint and still leave rude comments.

Tom Cunningham

February 20, 2026 at 3:50 AM

Thanks Tania, sometimes its like being back at junior school lol. Water off a ducks back to me. Enjoy your weekend. Tom

Laurentine G

February 18, 2026 at 5:30 AM

Hey Tom, that's a great quote and monoku - I like the Oscar Wilde one too "I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to make an ass of yourself." Freedom of speech lets people identify themselves with full force on their unsavory or repulsive points of view. We don't benefit from hearing it but it's good we know who they are! It turns my stomach what people will say in the name of freedom of speech and the fact they are incapable of self reflection or learning.

Tom Cunningham

February 18, 2026 at 6:56 AM

Thank you Laurentine, some think free speech is a blank cheque to spew hatred and venom against others or ridicule those who have opposing views.love Oscar Wildes quote. Sadly it's an evil world we live in, respect has gone out the window. Tom

David Kavanagh

February 17, 2026 at 2:53 PM

Great Monoku Tom, some people think freedom of speech is a right to say whatever they want; then act all upset when taken to task for demeaning and demonising other’s views, cheers David

David Kavanagh

February 18, 2026 at 4:07 AM

Which in turn all leads back to my original comment about selective upset, or as you nicely put it (performative outrage)

Keith D Trestrail

February 18, 2026 at 3:54 AM

It’s all fake in Washington. Nothing is as it seems. Democrats had those files for years and sat on them. Republicans were hoping to do the same but had their hand forced and were made to release them. I’m so over the Epstein Files. Half on Congress are probably in the files. Certainly a lot of important people have some explaining to do but it’s all a political exercise rather than a quest for justice. It’s all performative outrage.

David Kavanagh

February 18, 2026 at 3:28 AM

Just to be clear, Gender is your bitch not mine, I was more thinking in line with what the White House is saying about the newly released Epstein files, causing fake outrage, Do you agree with them, and defend their stance!

Keith D Trestrail

February 18, 2026 at 2:54 AM

Nothing fake about it. Thanks to this White House America still has freedom of speech unlike the UK where people are arrested, convicted and jailed for pointing out on Facebook that men can’t have babies or the constabulary knock on your door if you assert biological men can’t be women. Controversial stuff I know. How’s that for an agenda. Just so you know, gender is not a human construct. You might wanna write that down.

David Kavanagh

February 18, 2026 at 1:10 AM

What do they call that kind of thing in the White House, oh yeah! Fake outrage! I suppose anyone with an agenda will try any tactic whatsoever to further their cause!

Keith D Trestrail

February 17, 2026 at 5:39 PM

You mean like if I mispronoun someone or call teen gender reassignment state sponsored child body mutilation? Am I to be taken to task for what some psychological headcase might consider demeaning or demonising?

Tom Cunningham

February 17, 2026 at 3:41 PM

Thanks David, reminds me of those crazy individuals who interpret their holy books and create their twisted ideologies saying well its written in the book, ISIS comes to mind along with the Taliban. Tom

Victor Buhagiar

February 17, 2026 at 1:46 AM

Perfect monoku. One should agree to disagree. Loved your quote too.

Tom Cunningham

February 17, 2026 at 3:49 AM

Thank you Victor, Tom

Keith D Trestrail

February 16, 2026 at 11:49 PM

So who decides what’s humane, what’s hate and what’s prejudicial? That’s a very slippery slope.

Keith D Trestrail

February 17, 2026 at 5:43 PM

Blog away and make the blogosphere great again!

Tom Cunningham

February 17, 2026 at 3:53 AM

Thanks Keith, I agree with you, in some countries just opening your mouth can mean a death sentence, Iran, Nth Korea ,Russia and China comes to mind. Tom

Kim Rodrigues

February 16, 2026 at 4:03 PM

Truly!

Tom Cunningham

February 16, 2026 at 4:12 PM

Thank you Kim. Tom

Jan Allison

February 16, 2026 at 1:58 PM

Bravo Tom, wise words indeed and I hope everyone on soup reads this and takes notice. Hugs jan xx

Jan Allison

February 16, 2026 at 3:16 PM

agreed Tom and sadly we know that nothing gets done even if we do complain about the bullying and persistent holier than thou put downs :-(

Tom Cunningham

February 16, 2026 at 2:44 PM

Thank you very much Jan, we see too much of my way or no way ,even on here of late. We should be able to speak or write without being attacked by others who don't share our views. Respect for others has sadly fallen by the wayside. Tom