| We are masters of self-indulgence, and | | | | He, like many others, is a slave to our |
| slaves of self-interest. Quite the | | | | growing culture of self-interest. |
| contradiction: but quite the truth. For | | | | Staunch self-interest usually dictates |
| the most part, we Americans - seem to | | | | that "I" matter more than |
| have changed the definition of personal | | | | anyone else around "me," |
| freedom to a constitutional battering | | | | including all of "my" |
| ram. | | | | thoughts, opinions, desires, and |
| We're enslaved by foods, lifestyles, and | | | | beliefs. |
| fetishes, to name a few. | | | | How could this type of existence ever be |
| Whatever controls us is our master, and | | | | right? More and more we are becoming |
| we are its slaves. | | | | spellbound by and acclimated to our own |
| Recently a young man on a high school | | | | self-indulgence and exaggerated sense of |
| campus stood outside of the school with | | | | importance. |
| his friends displaying a sign which read | | | | Where do we find permanent solutions |
| "Bong hits 4 Jesus," an | | | | when we are both master and slave of our |
| apparent reference to and support of | | | | own condition? |
| marijuana usage. | | | | What about the Californian slaves who |
| The teenager was ordered to cease | | | | are crying foul every time their |
| displaying the sign, to which he | | | | personal and private enjoyment of |
| responded by filing for certiorari to | | | | cigarette smoking is limited to |
| the U.S. Supreme Court citing a | | | | something more personal and private? |
| violation of his First Amendment right | | | | Am I expected to give up my right to |
| to free speech. | | | | breathe air free of dried, nicotine |
| What drivel! | | | | rich, burning tobacco leaves, to make |
| Why does every Tom, Dick, and Jane | | | | way for the slave who believes his |
| believe that they have a personal right | | | | personal enjoyment trumps my personal |
| and personal "freedom" to | | | | health? |
| impose their subjective views on | | | | |
| everyone else? It's simple. They're | | | | By the way, in case none of the slaves |
| slaves, and slaves do: what they're told | | | | have looked it up, nicotine is a |
| to do. | | | | poisonous alkaloid that is the chief |
| If the only voice of "reason" | | | | active principle of tobacco and is used |
| we listen to is our own voice we are | | | | as an insecticide. |
| bound to begin believing that anything | | | | Sure...I'll just move right on over for |
| we say or do in public is acceptable | | | | you. |
| solely on the basis of that personal | | | | True liberty takes into account the |
| belief and hubris. | | | | masses, and not just self. |
| Why couldn't the young man express and | | | | There's a time and place for everything. |
| discuss those particular sentiments in a | | | | But as long as we remain enslaved by |
| private setting and proper forum? | | | | self-interest, the time and place for |
| Frankly, he did what he did because he | | | | everything will be perpetually here and |
| couldn't help himself. | | | | now. |