Goodfellows52: Women's march a righteous cause for all of us

Goodfellows52: Women's march a righteous cause for all of us: “We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.”  — Edward R. ...

Women's march a righteous cause for all of us

“We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.” 

— Edward R. Murrow

“Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate. “

— Hubert H. Humphrey

“Free societies are societies in which the right of dissent is protected.”

                                                                                         —Natan Sharansky

AUBURN — Witnessing a sea of humanity snaking through the streets of our nation’s capitol during the women's march reassured me that common sense, dissent and freedom are alive and well in the United States.

If you have a gripe with what you just saw across America and in fine cities around the globe, writer letter or relocate to a nation ruled by despots who intimidate and murder citizens for their opinions and outspokenness. 

If the current administration can’t understand what just transpired on the streets of Boston and New York City, then it doesn’t comprehend the intricacies and brilliance of the United States Constitution and its citizens, who gave us an old-fashion lesson in civics this weekend.

I stand with all women who demand to be treated with equality and respect — in and out of the workplace. I have no problem with a woman governing this nation. As a liberal democrat from the great state of Massachusetts, I voted for Mrs. Clinton after taking issue with President Trump’s acerbic remarks directed toward a female candidate and President Obama during an ugly campaign.

I grew up with three sisters and learned quickly that they are a formidable force when they band together. 

Nobody in this nation should be considered a second-class citizen.

Being bitter about Clinton’s loss is a waste of precious time, but what I can’t understand is a president with a Twitter addiction and his disdain for the Fourth Estate — the press. Calling the press to a briefing and then admonish it over the reporting of the size of inauguration crowds is simply absurd. This is the same nonsense when the president reeled off tweets about SNL skits about him.

Should the current administration move the press out of the West Wing, does the president truly believe reporters are going to go away or news organizations will start pandering to him?

When the press is doing its job right, I know the nation is doing well and not sliding toward rogue status, where life is cheap and leaders are assassinated when their countrymen grow tired of being tortured. We vote our presidents out of office. It works better that way.

By the way, the press isn’t going anywhere. Whatever it takes, the Washington Press Corp will file stories from the Watergate or from a phone booth like Clark Kent. The press will continue to keep a watchful eye on the U.S. government and its leaders, who need to be held accountable for their actions. 

I think we sometimes forget our officials work for us, but we reminds ourselves and politicians every time we vote. That is why citizens were standing up for themselves this weekend. It is our duty as Americans and to the founding fathers of a country that embraces dissent and debate.

This nation has always been a work in progress and I would like it to continue moving forward no matter who is in office.