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Printed from https://webx1.writing.com/main/profile/blog/distefano_stef/day/9-19-2025
by Seffi Author IconMail Icon
Rated: 18+ · Book · Other · #2010700

For the avoidance of doubt... Yes... I definitely have an opinion...

Let there be cake
Welcome to my Blog!!

Having an opinion is better than not having a thought of your own.
I have many of both....
Pull up a pew and grab a hot, steaming mug of your choice.


September 19, 2025 at 12:07am
September 19, 2025 at 12:07am
#1097643
Prompt:To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."― Theodore Roosevelt. Your thoughts on freedom of speech with all that has happened recently with Jimmy Kimmel.
***

I am an outsider. I don’t really understand American politics. I hear a lot about the amendments. I hear terms like ‘freedom of speech’ and ‘right to bear arms’ banded around in a multitude of videos, podcasts, posts, and articles. My opinion doesn’t matter as much as that of those of you living in the USA. But, I can give you my outside opinion.

I don’t understand how people can rally behind the second amendment, which I think is the ‘right to bear arms’, but then be ok when the first amendment on ‘freedom of expression’ is continually railroaded by the guy that’s supposed to lead you.

Full disclosure, I really, REALLY, dislike the guy. Every time I see him on TV or he walks up to a microphone, I am overwhelmed by my distain for the guy. Honestly, I am still amazed, confused, and perplexed as to how he became president, not once… but twice. Surely there had to be a better Republican option than him. He’s a liability every time he opens his mouth. All I can say is thank the stars he’s yours – not that ours are a huge improvement, but I have to believe they are at least marginally better.

Back to freedom of speech. I don’t think anything that Jimmy Kimmel said warranted him being taken off the air. I think that’s insane and ridiculous. It was satire.

What was said:

“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it. In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving. On Friday, the White House flew the flags at half-staff, which got some criticism, but on a human level, you can see how hard the president is taking this.”

He then showed a clip of the president saying he was taking it… “I think very good”, before the president whittled on about the construction of a ballroom at the White House…..

Kimmel, called him out saying; “Yes, he’s at the fourth stage of grief: construction. Demolition, construction. This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend. This is how a 4-year-old mourns a goldfish.”

Which bit was he wrong for – Saying Charlie Kirk was murdered? Saying his murder is being politicised? Saying people questioned why flags were flown at half-mast? Or saying the president's response was weird?

I think what happened to Charlie Kirk was awful. No human being should have their life cut short like that. No wife should have to witness her husband dying. No child should see their father die. It’s awful. No matter who he was or what he said, he didn’t deserve that. But I also don’t think he should be a martyr.

I think there are many people, on both sides, that are responsible for stirring the pot and creating a very real, very visceral hatred for anyone who disagrees with their view point. I think it’s dangerous and needs to be called out. And I think the very worrying trend of “fake news-ing” things you don’t want to discuss, threatening journalists who ask tough questions, and even cancelling talk shows is going to make the problem that much worse. When you start censoring the news, what’s seen on TV you start to tread in dangerous water – the type that was wide spread in Germany 1930/40, the type that’s in China and Russia now.

We need platforms that discuss the different viewpoints. We need people who are willing to call out people in power when they say something wrong, stupid or dangerous. Satire and comedy has always been a very powerful tool to do that.


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Printed from https://webx1.writing.com/main/profile/blog/distefano_stef/day/9-19-2025