In difficult times, use freedom wisely

I've often seen the idea of freedom depicted by an eagle soaring in the open sky or a horse running with head held high across the open plain.

But I also know that unless freedom is bridled by virtue, it's nothing more than arbitrary self-will: a private freedom that says, "I'll do what I want, whenever I want to."

And that is a curse to any society, especially ours.

We depend upon cooperation and limited freedoms to hold together our families, organizations and governing bodies.

Whether it's holding a diet, paying taxes or allowing traffic to merge, freedom involves choices that sometimes aren't pleasant.

And when it comes to freedom of speech, the self-centered voice that only rants and fumes can be tolerated, but not taken as a serious contributor to our community debate.

Healthy solutions to our disagreements can only come through the mutual respect of our differences.

Watching a wild horse is fun but even more beautiful is a horse and rider depending upon each other's differences to accomplish a goal.

It's an effective freedom that has matured through sacrifice and discipline.

These are difficult days; we need to use our freedoms wisely.

John Larson

Barrington