Uninjured

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
A common childhood saying.

The whole recent controversy over South Park inspired me to think about the concept of freedom of speech and I suddenly realized that the little ditty above, that pretty much every American learns in childhood, is its basis. Unlike more physical weapons, words have power only to the degree that the people who hear them give them power. It takes a level of maturity to understand that and to use it one's advantage; and in that sense the ability to say what one will without being sanctioned by officials speaks to maturity of governance.

I think I will have to revisit this subject, and see if it teaches me anything of interest.