You may notice the “STOP CENSORSHIP” ribbon in the upper-right corner of this blog’s page. I urge all readers to click on that ribbon and take a stand for freedom of expression in America.

Normally, I would reserve more politically-oriented commentary for my other blog, but freedom of expression is important to me. (Actually, take a look at my other blog; I took more drastic action there!) I believe it is important for Christians to speak our minds, and I am grateful to live in a country where we have freedom of speech.

I have half-jokingly referred to the First Amendment as every American’s “right to be wrong” or “right to sound stupid.” In all honesty, though, it is really every American’s right to openly and publicly express ideas which may be radical, controversial, or unpopular. It allows us to oppose the status quo, to speak out when our government and society has gone awry. Whether it be evangelism or social activism, we need freedom of expression to make a better future for those who will come after us.

I urge anyone who reads this to do the following:

• Go to http://wordpress.org/news/2012/01/help-stop-sopa-pipa/ to learn more about the Stop Online Piracy Act and the Protect IP Act, both of which are racing through Congress.
• Click on the “STOP CENSORSHIP” ribbon on this page and sign the online petition. If you care about your right to speak your mind in this country, let your congressional representatives know.

That ribbon will be on this blog until January 24 and “Mike’s Blog” will be blacked out until then as well. I pray that Congress does not pass drastic legislation which can be abused to shut down websites and rob ordinary people of their voice in society.