Topic of the Day: Vivian Schiller Resigns--Who Is Next?

I've been loosely following the coverage of Vivian Schiller's resignation from NPR. She is the latest to fall victim to political correctness. Last year it was Juan Williams, a man I much admire, but often disagree with. He had the audacity to speak honestly during an interview about the discomfort he felt when sharing space on an airliner with Muslims. That was too much for NPR and he was quickly shown the door.

Today Ron Schiller, also an employee of NPR, was given the boot. During what he thought was a private conversation, he made some disaparaging remarks about Republicans and members of the Tea Party.

The atmosphere in this country is heating up. In recent years we've seen a number of people who live in the limelight ridiculed, fired and even threatened with their lives for stating an opinion that was viewed as being politically incorrect. What happened to the first amendment? Are we no longer allowed to have opinions of our own?

I'm a conservative and a supporter of the Tea Party and therefore a target of Ron Schiller's statements, but he had the right to say them. It is my understanding that he was speaking for himself and not NPR. I don't like what he said, in fact I'm sickened by the climate of disrespect that runs rampant in our nation. Still, Ron Schiller has a right to his own beliefs.

Where will it all end? Who decides what is acceptable? Last time I checked we were still a free country. It is our freedoms that make us unlike other countries and although some of our diversity gets my dander up, it's that diversity which is part of the tapestry that strengthens who we are. We have the freedom to be different and to speak about those differences. Our rights to think for ourselves and speak for ourselves is gradually being stripped away. We are like a home built along an ocean beach. One wave at a time washes away the foundation beneath us and when enough of the foundation is carried out to sea the home crumbles.

I'm a Christian, and every week I enjoy the freedom of sharing my faith and beliefs with my readers. Some of what I have to say may be hard for some people's senses. Will I one day be forced to shut down for fear of offending someone? The idea may sound unbelievable, but If we don't return to common sense and the foundational truths that our country was built upon it's where we're headed. The Truth Police will decide who can speak and who can't. Who will appoint these protectors of our souls?

I understand, sometimes it's downright painful to listen to the hateful fomenting moving across the land, but if we feel compelled to shut them up one day we'll be the ones who cannot speak.

I can't change the world, but I can touch one life at a time. And when I get frustrated it helps to think upon Philippians 4:8 & 9, which says, "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable and right and pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me -- everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you."

There's a better way. Let's find it. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie