America needs to say no
We as a society have begun to promote saying yes to everything. Everything is okay as long as it feels good. And if anyone confronts you about what you’re doing, keep doing what you’re doing because you feel like it. While I do believe that everyone has the foundational right of freedom, I do have one question to ask: when will people decide to say no? Before you read any further, this is an opinion so just keep that in mind.
As generations pass, society keeps finding ways to say yes to everything. But we also promote morals and laws to say no, that’s not okay. So if we as people keep saying that it’s okay to do something that’s clearly not okay, like taking someone’s life or taking your own life, will there be a point in time where we wonder, “So what’s morally wrong?” People defend the ability to kill, to lie, to curse, to steal, and several other things. Don’t believe me? Here are several examples that people use to defend these things:
It’s okay to lie as long as you don’t hurt people’s feelings. It’s okay to take the life of a child because you got raped and you didn’t want it in the first place. It’s okay to curse because everyone else does it and it feels good. It’s okay to steal because they stole from me first or “no really, I have a good lawful reason behind why I did it.”
I’m sorry people, but are you kidding me right now?
When will we actually stop and go back and realize that what we’re promoting is not okay? Everyone has free will, but that doesn’t mean that what everyone’s doing is right. You can make whatever decision you want, but I’m going to tell you that what you did was wrong, like if you lied straight to my face. America, think about what we’re promoting. Countries all around the world are watching.
About a month ago in Government I watched a video of people from all around the world stating their opinions of America, and a lot of them were looking to us as a beacon, and by that I mean everyone was watching what we’re doing so they can do the same thing in their own country, such as trends, industrialization, etc.
We can’t do what feels good, people. We need to do what’s right.
15rarthur@usd489.com
Garrett Page • Sep 15, 2015 at 9:51 am
This outcry seems a little vague to me, you hint at not being okay with cursing or abortion but you don’t really say it. You want to know one thing I say no to? Censorship when it comes to articles like these, if you are not strongly minded to say your opinions out loud you probably don’t have much faith in them. So I’d love to see an article where you outright say some opinions you may have no matter how crazy or headstrong they are. I have views that flow against the norm and I’m more than willing to speak them openly when asked or when challenged. i’m agnostic of course when it comes to these topics because I can be swayed one way or the other because the human mind is subjective. I may change my mind on how I feel about politics, economics, religion or anything down the road.
My main point is just don’t hold back, the guidon has a reputation of being a lax right wing paper with a lot of pro-feminism propaganda. But one thing that sticks out is the writers, I love reading the guidon and talking to you fine ladies (last I checked everyone in the guidon writers were women sorry guys if any are there). So please, next article have no fear speak your mind and don’t sugarcoat it. Never forget the things that make a journalist good. Honesty, good writing, good research, and an open mind (unless your on fox news or the O’riley factor. Then you skew all information and do no research) but the guidon is better than Fox News.
Have a lovely day Racheal!
Conrad Hoffman • Feb 23, 2015 at 2:38 pm
I mean while were at it, lets just make swearing illegal, since it is morally wrong. We live in a black and white world, right? Abortion is bad, and swearing is bad, and all internet piracy is bad, right?
News flash, not everyone lives up to the same moral compass as everyone else. Nor does an ENTIRE COUNTRY behave the same way. Imposing one persons morals on an entire country goes against the entire idea of individual liberty on which this country was founded upon.
Choo, choo, Nazi Germany here we come.
Rachael Arthur • Feb 23, 2015 at 2:21 pm
I respect everyone’s opinions about what I wrote and you obviously have the right to believe what you believe. But as I stated in the article, this is an opinion. I by no means back down on what I said, I stand on every word of it. But just know that I respect you all writing your opinions. “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend your right to say it.”
Anniston • Feb 23, 2015 at 1:21 pm
I really love your contradictory photo to go along with this article. You’ve got the picture of the American flag behind text that says “FREE WILL”
Uhm, last time I checked, free will is doing what you want.
Am I missing out on something?
Anyway, there’s just one specific paragraph I’m going to ‘speak my mind’ about.
You mention sarcastically that ‘it’s ok to lie as long as you don’t hurt peoples feelings’.
Literally yes.
It is in fact, ok to lie in some circumstances.
Ever hear of Santa? Easter bunny? Tooth fairy, perhaps?
You can also never know how sensitive someone could be. I’d rather lie and have them feel fine rather than tell the truth and have them jump off a bridge or something.
Secondly, if you get raped and you have that baby – you’re most likely going to see the face of your rapist every single day in the face of that child. Personally, I wouldn’t want that.
Also, if I were said fetus and I somehow had a conscious mind at that point and I KNEW my mother would hate me (whether she decided to keep me or not) I would choose not to be born. While I don’t believe in a person getting an abortion ‘just for the heck of it’ (and I don’t think that happens very often),If the life of the mother is in danger, if she cannot provide a good life for the child, or if she was the victim of a rape – then she should be able to choose keeping a baby or not. Sorry for the run-on sentence, by the way.
Moving on – cursing is a part of our culture.
Some people swear, some don’t. Get over it. I don’t think any less of people who swear verses the ones that don’t. As long as they aren’t being incredibly inappropriate with their words – who cares?
But I can say I agree with you on one thing, and that’s the fact that stealing is wrong. That’s it though. I’m done.
Jeanie Balzer • Feb 23, 2015 at 5:23 pm
Anniston,
The title “Free Will” is talking about how Americans have the option to choose. Rachael was stating her OPINION that Americans may have chosen wrong the past few years. Giving that this is an OPINION page, I see nothing wrong with what Rachael said or how she said it (or titled it for that matter).
Also, to address your opinion about cursing, I believe that cursing is disrespectful. I know I don’t appreciate it when people use certain curse words to describe me or those I care about. In addition to it being disrespectful, I believe it makes people look unintelligent. Most high school students have been in school for at least nine years, yet their vocabulary consists of a few disrespectful words. I understand that people sometimes let curse words slip, and it happens, but a regular use of curse words is unnecessary and does not prove your point.
Anniston • Feb 23, 2015 at 10:53 pm
You’re right – it IS an opinion. However her saying: “Wake up America” multiple times is her basically saying “Y’all are wrong for doing things the way you’ve been doing them and we need to change it.”
It’s the way she said it. Not the actual message of her article. Imposing your beliefs on an entire country contradicts the ‘individual liberty’ fact.
In response to the cursing issue – I never said that cursing wasn’t disrespectful. I simply stated that I do not think any less of people who choose to swear and those who choose not to. If a person was brought up in an area where swearing was normal it’s likely that they’re going to swear. Words are words. I don’t see how someone saying a cuss word is going to affect anyone. UNLESS the words are OBVIOUSLY directed at another person. Which is, in itself, and entirely different issue.
Conrad Hoffman • Feb 24, 2015 at 8:50 am
Just because it is an opinion doesn’t mean that it can be free from criticism. Anniston has perfectly legitimate points. If America would start “saying no” to all these things it legitimately undermines the idea of individual liberty.
The idea of individual liberty is that you can do things that others define as morally wrong. Morals are *not* black and white. Many people don’t have the same morals as Rachel and the ability to act not following her morals is what makes this country great.
There are some legitimate fallacies in the article. Trust me other countries don’t look up to us as much as she thinks they do.
“You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant.”
― Harlan Ellison
Rachael Arthur • Feb 24, 2015 at 11:43 am
Alright I feel like I need to address this. Yes people I agree that people HAVE the freedom to believe or do whatever they want. I AM BY NO MEANS TAKING OUT THAT FREEDOM! Because obviously everyone has free will. The reason I put that picture up was because i was saying, YES we have the freedom to believe whatever we want. BUT the point I’m trying to make is not everything that we do is right. Because honestly, if we don’t have a moral compass, then what’s right and what’s wrong? I apologize if I came off ignorant or rude, that was not my intent. I want you all to know that I don’t think of any of you differently because of your opinions and that I still genuinely care about the well being of others. But I also know that holding people accountable is something we struggle with as a country. And as far as this internet debate goes, if you want to talk about this, please confront me in person rather than writing a never ending fire on the internet.
Maddie • Feb 20, 2015 at 12:54 pm
Almost 100% disagree.
Michaela • Feb 20, 2015 at 10:41 am
Great job! I agree, its nice to hear someone else say it!
Madison • Feb 20, 2015 at 9:21 am
Great job on this article. Completely agree!
Conrad Hoffman • Feb 20, 2015 at 8:29 am
Hail Hydra!
Rachelle Lumpkins • Feb 20, 2015 at 7:30 am
Ok, I agree with you on almost everything here, except one point. When you put, It’s okay to take the life of a child because you got raped and you didn’t want it in the first place, you have to think about what they have been through. You have to put yourself in their shoes. Maybe it was easier for them to get over the rape if they aborted the baby, or what if they were told that giving birthday to the baby would kill them. You have to take in different accounts. Yes, I don’t believe in abortion, but I believe in circumstances. You could have worded that sentence just a little bit differently, and try putting yourself in their shoes.
Rachael Arthur • Feb 20, 2015 at 9:56 am
Thank you for your opinion, and I obviously take into consideration the circumstances they’re in, but I also think that there’s the option of adoption. I would not deny that getting raped would be horrible and traumatic, but personally I would rather live with that for 9 months and know that I didn’t take the life of someone who could have become something great in this world. They could grow up to share their story to people and be an inspiration, or they could help the world in their own talents. I don’t want to take away that right at all.
Rachelle Lumpkins • Feb 20, 2015 at 7:00 pm
And I agree with you! In those circumstances, I believe if the person can’t live with the baby, the baby should be put up for adoption. Thank you!
Jeanie Balzer • Feb 23, 2015 at 10:05 am
I completely agree with you Rachael, I think it would be better to live with the trauma of an event such as rape for nine months, than to live with the guilt of taking another human being’s life for the rest of your life.
Thanks for writing this opinion!
Ivan Anderson • Feb 23, 2015 at 10:10 am
You have to keep in mind that adoption can be a very dangerous thing. My grandmother was in the cycle of adoption for most of her childhood and was subjected to horrible sights and abuse that has traumatized her before she finally settled into a family and home.
Many children live unhealthy lives because of the cold conditions they could possibly be thrust into, are less likely to have living skills required for taking care of yourself outside of the home, are likely to fall very far behind in their studies, and on average have an IQ 20 points below the United States average. These children are also more likely to end up homeless or in group homes. Some adoptive families do work out, yes, but you also have to keep in mind that a lot of children put up for adoption don’t end up adopted. This also disregards children of color and physically disabled or mentally ill children who are less likely to be adopted and also more likely to be subject to abuse in adopted households.
Three years is the average amount of time a child put up for adoption has to wait to be adopted. This is, of course, only an average… and there are many outliers. Children who spend their earliest years in orphanages have a high rate of developing Reactive Detachment Disorder, and from my experiences with my grandmother and friends who have been put up for adoption/put in foster care, have a higher than average rate of developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
You’re also forgetting about many cases of Child Sexual Abuse in which children as young as 8-13 years old can be raped by an adult man and end up pregnant as a result. Should these children be obligated to deal with the horrible conditions of having a child when they’ve barely started puberty? This can kill them and is likely to ruin their body forever if they live through it. These are still children I’m talking about. You’re valuing a fetus more than the mother, who has already been subject to unfathomable and sometimes traumatizing circumstances, in a lot of cases like this.
You have a right to have your opinion, and there are many people like you who think this way. Personally, I think this article was pretty insensitive, especially where it speaks over less privileged people; especially rape victims and victims of childhood sexual abuse.
Alex Feyerherm • Feb 23, 2015 at 11:33 am
So what if the mother doesn’t want to endure the social ridicule that comes along with being pregnant while unmarried, or the general physical toll that pregnancy takes? Should we as a society really force the woman to undergo all of that, after already having endured the traumatic experience that is rape (something that was not her choice)? Seems a little insensitive, no?
Alex Feyerherm • Feb 19, 2015 at 4:06 pm
Bill O’Reilly, is it really you?
Elizabeth Lee • Feb 24, 2015 at 5:22 pm
*HIGH-FIVES*