American Essay contest high school winner

This is the third in a three-part series of winning essays from the Carson City School Board-sponsored American Essay contest

The three winners received a $250 U.S. savings bond. Other winners, whose essays already ran, include David Charles, an eighth-grader from Carson Middle School; and Adam Peterson, a fourth-grader from Seeliger Elementary School

By Sarah Stadler

Carson High School senior

Have you ever noticed as you walked around school, or anywhere for that matter, there is always that one person, at least, who is complaining about everything? Doesn't that one person who is just going on and on about how bad a decision the president made just get on your nerves? Or how about when you turn on the news and once again the newscaster is telling you that the natural disaster was all a certain person's fault, and that person is usual someone with power?

These are everyday encounters, and most of the time they drive people crazy. You hear about a certain religion that is gaining power, or how there was a protest in front of the local capitol building or that once again the press printed worthless garbage that is nowhere near the truth.

Then you and others complain about these problems to friends and the cycle is perpetuated. Here's the thing that makes me want to chuckle. All of the above mentioned circumstances are guaranteed and protected rights of everyday citizens. That's right, the First Amendment is the reason that religion can prosper, people can gossip, protests can take place, and the news is free game.

Yes, there are some provisions and guidelines, but the main point is that here in America we have the freedom to believe, say, assemble, and print almost anything, anywhere we'd like. Let's break down these four freedoms and see exactly how important they are, even though they are often taken for granted.

Religion, something that matters most to many, and nothing to some. That is part of its beauty. Here in America people have the option to go a church, a synagogue, or a temple. They can choose to go once, twice, or multiple times a week, or they may choose not to go at all. Not only do the people have the choice to go, but churches have the choice of location, and belief.

If you have a belief, there is probably a church to match, and if there isn't, you just create one of your own. I feel that is one fault with this freedom; it kind of makes really wanting to believe in something a relatively easy pastime, instead of a sacred time. In other countries where the first amendment does not exist, people are forced to believe in something or someone or pay the price, which more often than not is their life.

Freedom of religion was one of the reasons for our founding, so I find it fitting that not only is it in the bill of rights, but that it is the first part of the first amendment.

I don't think I could imagine not being able to speak my mind and express my opinion. That is why freedom of speech is my favorite part of the first amendment. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, but only in America can you express it, pretty much anywhere, and not have to restrain yourself from speaking out. You can have an opinion for or against any issue today and you can choose to share it or just keep it to yourself; it's all up to you.

We can speak out in public, private or passé and if people do not agree, they can rebut. However, this is one freedom where there are restrictions. You're not supposed to put people in danger with your words, like yelling fire in a public place, and after Sept. 11, 2001, anything you say or do that could show you mean harm towards our people or government could land you in a lot of trouble. I feel that the major fault with this freedom is that while you can say whatever you want, within reason, people can twist and bend your words, they can take them totally out of context and make you look like a fool. So, as long as you watch your P's and Q's then this is a fabulous freedom.

You know those people who you see protesting or demonstrating in front of important buildings, trying to make a point? You see them as you drive down the road holding signs and shouting out sound bites and you think, why in the world do we let them do that? I know that I have wondered the very same thing, especially during war protests.

But the reason that they can stand there and make fools of themselves and continue to try and make their point is because of the first amendment. Freedom to assemble is one of the most controversial freedoms, if you ask me. While it's supposed to be peaceful, the point is that people get to make a scene to get their point across. They share their opinions by marching in circles in front of capitol buildings. This freedom fits nicely with freedom of speech, for what better way to get your point across than with the voices of many.

Assemblies don't please everyone. In fact I'm not really a fan, it actually seems that they are always in rebuttal to something. The only reason that I do not support protest is because of war protests. Why would we want to support people saying that the war is pointless and that the troops are dying for nothing? Should they not be praying for our troops and encouraging them to do their best and stay alive?

I feel that it probably disheartens the troops to hear from their countrymen that they are fighting. My friend retorts with the thought that it is probably the opposite, for our troops are fighting for our freedoms and one such freedom is protest. The point is that in America your opinion and voice does matter and if assembling is how you go about doing it, so be it. Demonstrations in other countries most often result in deaths; protests are broken with shots and pain. But here they are embraced and encouraged by some and despised by many.

And lastly, along with assembly comes the press, for they are always looking for a juicy story. Arguments and chaos sell, and they seem to grab the attention of the press the most. Even though people would like to think that some things are "off the record," reality shows that nothing is sacred anymore, least of all your words.

I believe that is a fault of this part of the amendment, it's also why it's everyone's least favorite. Why must reporters and journalists have the freedom to invade others' affairs and skew facts and opinions? Why must they be able to dictate what we know and what's going on? It took a while for me to find the answers to these questions, but when I did I realized that there are some really good reasons.

Think of your least favorite news station. Now what would you do if they were your only source for the news. All there was were the newscasters from Fox News or CNN. Facts would only support one side or the other. Now, hold that thought for a moment. On foreign soil far away where the first amendment has no presence there are people who are told their opinions and facts by one or two people (reporters). These reporters are told what to say to the public by the dictator who runs the country.

But here in America, where you don't have to watch your least favorite news station, you get to pick and choose what you listen to, and watch and believe. All of the different stations dig up different information and facts, they present it to us and we use our knowledge to decide what we believe and watch. Yes, some things are politically biased or are even made up facts, so it's our job to find credible sources; the point is that we get to choose. So let the newspapers present their facts, let the news stations give their opinions, then hop online and find some more news, take that knowledge and form your own opinion; that is the benefit of freedom of the press.

As you have probably noticed, choice has a lot to do with our society and our freedoms, while the first amendment says nothing about freedom of choice, the four components of the amendment all require choices being made by you.

Choice is what we are founded on and our rights protect those choices. Whether the choices are right or wrong, and a lot of people do make the wrong choices, it's okay. With wrong choices come consequences, but with responsible choices comes change. America is the land of freedoms, opportunities, choices, and mistakes.

I am glad we get to make those choices and mistakes because that's how I learn. I choose to worship how I please, I choose to speak out when I am filled with passion, I choose to assemble for my cause, and I choose to accept that the press is free just like me and that I must choose what to believe or not. While we often take for granted our rights, especially the First Amendment, try and remember.

Every time you worship how you please, every time you speak your mind, every time you see or participate in a protest, and every time you read the paper both you and others are enacting your rights and our leaders and this nation are preserving them: no matter what.