You Have the Right To Do What You Wish, So Long As...

"You have the right to do what you wish, so long as the exercising of your rights does not infringe on the rights of others, nor causes others undue harm."


I have no idea if I read that somewhere or simply made it up, but I try to make this my philosophy on human rights. I know it is broad, overly simplistic, and perhaps not even appropriate in every situation. But I still do my best to adhere to this, and I really wish other people would as well. I think our world would be a much happier and pleasant place to live if we did.

I am a very strong believer in the original intent of the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution. I have read and understand what the First Amendment says. Have you?

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The image above is of "pastor" Terry Jones, who infamously burned the Koran recently. Now he wants to hold a "rally" at the largest mosque in Dearborn, Mich. He claims he is exercising his First Amendment right. I don't see how the amendment was interpreted as saying "You have the right to burn the Koran with the specific intention of insulting an entire culture." Just like when people figured out that you can't yell "fire" in a theater just because you have the right to, people should be able to understand that you can't go around insulting other people's religions and trampling over their rights while doing so. When people put their own rights above the rights of others, innocent people are always the ones who pay the price.