Free speech.

As guaranteed in the First Amendment, it's one of the most vital principles to American society. It was so important that when the Constitution was drafted, legislators of the time refused to allow it to be ratified unless the Bill of Rights was included.

Without it, our society lacks the means to discuss controversial issues and share opinions without being censored. This provides us with the opportunity to engage in debates that are critical to a democratic society.

In effect, without free speech America would not exist.

On Friday, Mike Ramsey exercised his right to free speech in his political cartoon on Veterans Day (SN 11/11). Since then, many people have exercised their own rights of free speech in responding to the cartoon.

Mostly negative.

Regardless of your opinion on the issue, the cartoon was important. It might have been offensive to some, but in the long run the conversation it started is worthwhile.

It directly relates to some of the biggest issues our country is facing.

After all, the cartoon reflects the views to the cartoonist and doesn't necessarily reflect what everyone else believes at The State News.

We are at war in Iraq, and we are at war with terror.

Our soldiers are fighting for our country around the world.

The Bush administration is asking for extra latitude when interrogating suspected terrorists.

If the cartoon sparked serious conversations about these and other important issues then it served a purpose. We cannot ignore these things just because they are unpleasant to talk about. They are real. The most important thing we can do as Americans is to engage in this type of debate.

Just because someone holds an opinion that is critical of the government doesn't mean they are unpatriotic. This is an incredibly dangerous idea to subscribe to.

It was criticism of the Articles of Confederation that allowed the creation of the Constitution and the creation of the government we are all fortunate to have today.

It was criticism of government policy that gave women and minorities the right to vote.

It was criticism of the government and its institutions that ended slavery.

Without free speech, nothing can change. If opinions are silenced, America is no longer the country it should be.

The more people express their opinions, whether in the form of a letter to the editor, organizing a protest or simply engaging in healthy debate in the cafeteria, the stronger our country becomes.

Free speech should not be silenced. If it is, one of the pillars of American society will begin to crumble.

In that case, the United States will not be the country it should or was ever intended to be. It will fail to be a country in which every opinion has a voice and in which every citizen has a say in the direction of their nation.