Once more it's that time of year, where US citizens reflect back on how a tax on tea broke the camel's back and started a war for independence. And in the current day, it creates a need on the genetic level for fireworks and backyard grilling.

The anger at taxation without representation led to the birth of a new nation. One that respects the rights of those speaking to power. One which would engage in a bloody civil war to end the egregious act of slavery within its own borders, while 167 countries today still practice the act. One that places the burden of proof upon the accuser. Though there are plenty of forces at work desperate to turn all the courts into the kangaroo variety.

Among our rights, the right to speak freely is the most important, and only just above the right to defend oneself. But this right to speak is seen as the most dangerous to people in power. It's why they'll censor others or ban them off platforms. And this is usually done by claiming those proponents of free speech are bigots, racists, or whichever slur or insult will be most expedient in eliminating them. Regardless of intention, censorship is always the greater evil.

They claim, "your speech is dangerous! It's hurting people who have the thinnest of skins!" To that I respond, it's not my problem. They need to learn that people with different opinions exist, regardless of how much they don't like it.

The only time speech should be restricted is when it openly calls for violence. (Pay no attention to the cities in flames or left leaning politicians egging on their constituents) Whereas ridiculing or mocking the absurd is far from violence. But tyrants are not known for their sense of humor. The very act of mocking them or the things they hold dear is basically sacrilege. In many ways, truth and humor are the scariest things of all to a tyrant. Not just because it means they or their beliefs are being mocked, but because humor often holds a grain of truth. And that mix of humor and truth will spread like wildfire. It's why memes are so viral. I'd say that's the main reason why those free speech lovin' admins on FA decided to delete a few of my images recently. No surprise, I was told that I was an istaphobe and a bad boy for not submitting to the propaganda. Perhaps I should take Eric July's advice, and monetize my haters.

Since it's only a matter of time before I get banned off of FA, as their rules become more arbitrary and anti-regular people, I've decided to make a twitter account. I know, here I was talking about sacrilege and I do this. But if you type in https://twitter.com/CyborgCollie then I should pop up. All I have up there at the moment is my 4th of July image. So follow me to enjoy future pieces that pop up there. And if you hate me so much you want to comment on my stuff, then great! It means my stats will go up.

Have a Happy Independence Day! I'm gonna go nurse this cold and hopefully not hack all over people at our cookout tomorrow.