LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Just what is free speech?

Speech by itself is communication of expression of thoughts in spoken words. In our Constitution, the First Amendment states free speech is the right to express opinions and ideas without government interference or censorship and is considered a fundamental human right. The same applies to freedom of the press.

There is much news in the media about free speech due to rhetoric from the present Republican administration. It is being fueled, perhaps, by our president of the United States and others in the Republican Party. It has been reported that this administration is trying to find ways in limiting free speech when that speech is in opposition to the ways this administration is operating.

"Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech," a quote from Founding Father Benjamin Franklin.

Our democratic republic cannot exist without freedom of speech and freedom of the press. The Founding Fathers understood that these two fundamental human rights must be incorporated in the Constitution when creating a new nation of the people, by the people and for the people.

It is we the people that must always stand our ground at all times without any intimation for our fundamental rights for freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

"Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost," a quote from Founding Father and author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson.

Thomas E. Carter

Rio Rancho