Meditation of Freedom

Freedom is dangerous. Just in case anyone has forgotten that. Just in case Americans, so used to the tradition and easy access to freedom we've enjoyed for so long...have forgotten that, and become complacent about it.

Freedom is dangerous. It's dangerous to people who want it. You could get killed. You could starve to death. You could have to shop at Target instead of Nordstrom's.

Freedom is dangerous. It's dangerous to people who enjoy power over others, and who want to stomp it out once and for all, so that they can stay powerful and rich and important. If you're free, if they can't control you, they cannot make you support or contribute to their power, their wealth, their status.

Freedom is dangerous. It's dangerous for people who fight for it. Ask captured runaway slaves; ask Tianaman Square protesters; ask North Korean dissidents; ask Tibetan Monks; ask Cuban refugees.

Freedom is dangerous. It often demands courage, blood, glory, heroism, sacrifice, death.

Freedom is dangerous. Freedom is the highest human value.

Freedom is dangerous. Freedom is necessary for human development, human dignity, and fully realized human beings.

Freedom is dangerous. It requires the ultimate choice:  Freedom or Death.

Freedom is dangerous. Freedom is Life.

The Gunslinger