I

often hear the word freedom expressed and, each time, I wonder what people actually mean by it. My interpretation or perception of freedom is likely different to many others who use the word and, in all honesty, I doubt whether freedom is achievable.

If we assume that freedom means to be free to do as you like, then that would result in world chaos, as within no time we would be clubbing one another like people did during the Stone Age.

We are all governed by rules, regulations, restrictions, circumstances, bylaws, obligations, occupations, traffic lights and, of course, let'€™s not forget our wives.

Freedom of speech is steadily being eroded by people who want everyone to be polite, tolerant, reasonable and, thus, by and large ineffective. Perhaps freedom is like democracy, another much-used word that in practice is a myth and doesn'€™t really exist.

It is like claiming to be '€œnormal'€ when all of us are clearly different, and no one that I know can define the meaning of the word. Perhaps Eskimos are relatively free as there is no mortgage commitment on an igloo, a great lack of churches and mosques near the North Pole and hardly anyone who can speak Yupik to check on their tax returns.

But, of course, freedom of the individual is very important, but unfortunately in this day and age, everyone is herded down various avenues that stifle freedom through propaganda and brainwashing. Authority never likes to be challenged; those in power more than appreciate that freedom for the people would signal the end of their reign. The only true answer to obtaining freedom and, in turn, justice is for all Indonesians to thoroughly vet all the would-be candidates for the 2014 elections and reject those that fall short of requirements.

Obviously that won'€™t happen, as the vast majority of people simply can'€™t be bothered; but if that is the case, you can kiss freedom goodbye.

David Wallis
Medan