"Just as there is a very short distance between the U.S. and Cuba, there is a very short distance between a democracy and a dictatorship where the government gets to decide what to do, how to think, and how to live. And sometimes your freedom is not taken away at gunpoint, but instead it is done one piece of paper at a time, one seemingly meaningless rule at a time, one small silencing at a time. Never allow the government -- or anyone else -- to tell you what you can or cannot believe or what you can and cannot say or what your conscience tells you to have to do or not do."
by:
Armando Valladares
(1937-) Cuban poet, diplomat, and human rights activist
Source:
Armando Valladares speech receiving the 2016 Canterbury Medal
http://www.becketfund.org/armando-valladares-speech/
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It is easy to see why, President Reagan appointed Valladares Ambassador to the UN commission on human rights. "civil rights" as pertaining to the United States, Are Inalienable Rights ordained by God. A government based upon Faith in the Creator. " Prisoner of Conscience" can be termed Prisoner of Hope. Valladres, a man of faith against all odds, in a sea of atheistic tyrannical dictatorship. Puttin did well to stay away from Cuba, with the passing of Castro, knowing the implications surrounding Americas righting of their Ship of State, the Moral uprising against corrupt socialistic mindsets, secular humanistic leadership at local, state and federal levels. There is No conflict between Liberty and social justice. Liberty, being Freed form the chains of oppression, of which socialism is. Corruption as a whole, rather than fragmented. By way of Natural law, the heart is Oracle and the Conscience bears Witness.
 -- Ronw13, Oregon     
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     -- Jim K, Austin      
    real accurate
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    Indeed!!
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    The very thing happening in the U.S.. One little law, one little paper, one little court ruling at a time.
     -- Cal, Lewisville, Texas     
  • 3
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     -- jim k, Austin      
    I can't believe it! I agree with you all
     -- Robert Edwards, Vero Beach     
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    This is what the Socialist Democrats (Such as Bernie Sanders) want to inflict on what they consider to be their subjects!
     -- Mary, MI     
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    Even Ron?  ;-)
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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