Speak Up! by Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand - Academy Award Winner, Singer

Too many people of conscience are biting their tongues, fearing they’ll be perceived as unpatriotic. In fact, we need to forcefully engage the argument about what makes America… America, the country we all love. Do we want corporate tax giveaways, or help for the unemployed. Opening public lands to oil companies and logging interests, or renewable energy and conservation. An America where elections end up in the courts, or where election reform insures that every vote is counted. A justice department and judiciary that threatens a woman’s right to choose and the elderly’s right to a dignified exit, or a renewed commitment to the freedom of choice and liberty in a time of crisis.

Let’s have the debate. We can argue about this, wrestle with this… but we can’t be indifferent to this. I know it’s difficult to criticize the administration in a time of war. But this is about our future… about protecting the very essence of our democracy… freedom of speech. Our leaders shouldn’t be afraid to speak the truth, even if it is temporarily unpopular. As Dr. King said, “Truth crushed to the earth will rise again.” Truth works. Truth has its own force. Truth eventually wins out.