Right to Remain Silent...Just Not the Ability

                  The only valid censorship of ideas is the right of people not to listen.
                                                                                            ~Tommy Smothers 

"The only valid censorship of ideas is the right of people not to listen" or read as the case may be. If you are here, right now reading my blog, then you made a conscious decision to do so. You clicked a link, typed the address or Googled Random Thoughts and poof there I was. You have the right to read what I have written, appreciate it, disagree with it, share it or happily click away. You have the right to stop reading, the right to never again come here. But what you don't have the right to do, is try and silence me.   I would never support the extinguishing of anyone's free speech. Regardless of how blasphemous, hateful or hurtful someones words are....it is their right in this country to speak them. It is also my right to counter their words with my own or to simply ignore them and walk away. I do not have the right to silence any ones words. If we start silencing those we don't want to hear....then we are on a slippery slope to eventually being silenced ourselves.

Recently I received an email from my husband's ex wife, which in itself is pretty friggin humorous, as we have no contact what so ever.  She wants to discuss and I quote "alternative solutions to my posts in a public forum".  Now don't get me wrong here, what I write about is at times benign, at times thought provoking,  at times sarcastic and occasionally I may hit upon a subject that is sensitive to some readers, but never do I write with malice.  And while I am a strong advocate for spirited discussions, what I am not about to let happen, is allowing someone else, especially one I have no respect for, dictate what I can and can not write about.  If something here offends you, bothers you, then you by all means, have, the right. to. stop. reading. 

I love the openness and comments I received on a daily basis from my readers.  Especially the ones that while maybe not agreeing with me, open the door for some brilliant discussions. Some of which have turned into amazing talks and spectacular insights.  I always try and keep an open mind and I have to say the depth that some of you have replied with, has truly touched me.  On the Random Thoughts Facebook page, I asked fans what they thought of me "censoring" my thoughts and words. The response was a pretty astounding hell no. It is my right to write about my life, my views and whatever my heart desires. A fact that will continue for as long as I have thoughts in my head and the strong desire to write 'em down.  

I may have the right to remain silent, I doubt I have to ability to do so.  Hopefully I will continue to attract readers that appreciate my work, who participate in the coffee talk and sharing of ideas. But please understand, if my writing bothers you or offends you, please just don't read my blog, visit my website or facebook page.  Move along. For my regulars, keep reading, my Randomness is just getting started. 

Now, where's my coffee?