NationStates Jolt Archive

I believe that 'Freedom' as a word has been overused, twisted, manipulated and worn to the point of fatigue to the extent that the actual meaning has withered away.
No longer, I feel, does it seem to mean freedom of expression, choice, religion etc....
Now, I feel it is merely a label, a noun, a name used predominantly by the West to add 'righteousness' to endeavors and as a tool to demonise enemies.
Perhaps once it meant something, so long ago...

What are your thoughts?

Come on people, I thought we liked discussion here?

The meaning of freedom has not lost meaning, but the word being used so loose and fast probably has had a negative effect on the word it's self. If Bush would actually take on root causes of problems instead of just saying "They hate freedom" maybe it wouldn't of come to that. People don't kill people because they hate freedom. It's the biggest load of sh*t I've ever heard.

A thought for you--

Back when the House cafeteria renamed French fries into Freedom fries... y'all remember, that right? So all the people who oppose and make fun of France...

...do they oppose Freedom too?

I think its long lost meaning the way its thrown around now. It's long just been a buzz word anyway.

I heard a comedian on the radio last night (who's name I've forgotten) who said "If the terrorists really hated freedom, The Netherlands would be dust right now..."

It's not lost its meaning

However, it's overused. I mean, c'mon, FREEDOM FRIES?!?!?

Freedom hasn't lost it's meaning more than spawned a new one. One of the meanings, the true one, represents the ability to do what you want. The other one, is almost a method of government mind control. They try to make freedom=patriotism. It all depends on the person.

I think its disgusting that this simple noun has been twisted for political purposes.

Some good points so far, anyone care to disagree?

I agree too. It's definitely a twisting of the word when Bush is "the leader of the FREE world." :mad:

And politically, at least from the US administration's POV freedom is twisted beyond belief. How is a US installed "democracy"(i.e. puppet government) freedom?

When have you ever asssumed that you were free?

Freedom means that you die within your beleifs. It means dieing, because that is the only way you can be free.

It's not lost its meaning

However, it's overused. I mean, c'mon, FREEDOM FRIES?!?!?

Yeah, freedom the ideal remains, but the moment the word finds itself marketing fries its time there was freedom enough to take some marketing people out back and free-ing their brains with a very freely swung lead pipe ...

;)