Letting freedom ... freedom ... freedom ... ring

America has always had a complicated relationship with freedom. The comments in 1954 of Howard Mumford Jones, American intellectual, critic, and professor, are eerily prescient in 2020:

“While it is true that we in this nation remain free to be idiotic, it does not necessarily follow that we must be idiotic in order to be free!”

On one level, we have FDR’s State of the Union Address in 1941 outlining the Four Freedoms — Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, Freedom from Fear. At the time, most people considered these quintessential American values. Today, many ask: Freedom for who? Freedom from what?

Our embrace of independence and individualism has been a hallmark of our national identity that has often confounded the rest of the world, friend and foe alike. At its best, this self-identification as exceptional, can-do people has fueled an entrepreneurial spirit resulting in technological leadership that is usually lacking in countries more prone to lockstep groupthink. During times of crisis, this has positioned America as the entity that must be heard from before any definitive action is taken.

Less endearing is when this morphs into an entitled attitude of national swagger, particularly when it seeps into everyday life. Attending the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, I witnessed this first hand. Inevitably, as we lined up for an event, the only people cutting in line, going in the “out” door, attempting to scale the stairs marked “no entry”, were … wait for it … Americans. A national tragedy? No. A poor reflection on us? Yes.

The problem seems to be that a recipe that calls for both freedom and responsibility can be problematic. Temperature variations and poor timing can really throw things off. Try adding a dash of common courtesy, and sometimes it just boils over into an inedible mess.

Perhaps another Howard Mumford Jones quote can add some insight into why we continue to fail to find the right balance between freedom and responsibility. “Ours is the age which is proud of machines that think and suspicious of men who try to.”

The words of a man who died 40 years ago. “Ours is the age …,” I’d say we’ve hardly aged at all!

 

M. A. Duca is a resident of Twin Lakes narrowly focused on everyday life.

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Lakeville Journal and The Journal does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

Latest News

Classifieds - October 23, 2025

Help Wanted

Weatogue Stables has an opening: for a full time team member. Experienced and reliable please! Must be available weekends. Housing a possibility for the right candidate. Contact Bobbi at 860-307-8531.

Services Offered

Hector Pacay Service: House Remodeling, Landscaping, Lawn mowing, Garden mulch, Painting, Gutters, Pruning, Stump Grinding, Chipping, Tree work, Brush removal, Fence, Patio, Carpenter/decks, Masonry. Spring and Fall Cleanup. Commercial & Residential. Fully insured. 845-636-3212.

Keep ReadingShow less
School spirit on the rise at Housy

Students dressed in neon lined the soccer field for senior night under the lights on Thursday, Oct. 16. The game against Lakeview was the last in a series of competitions Thursday night in celebration of Homecoming 2025.

Hunter Conklin and Danny Lesch

As homecoming week reaches its end and fall sports finish out the season, an air of school spirit and student participation seems to be on the rise across Housatonic Valley Regional High School.

But what can be attributed to this sudden peak of student interest? That’s largely due to SGA. Also known as the Student Government Association, SGA has dedicated itself to creating events to bring the entire student body together. This year, they decided to change some traditions.

Keep ReadingShow less
Student initiatives shake up Homecoming
The poster promoting the Homecoming dance boasted the event would feature dancing, games and a bonfire. Reactions to the planned move outside were mixed, with some students excited about the changes and others expressing a desire for tradition.
Provided

The weekend of Homecoming at HVRHS was packed with events including rival games under the lights, senior night, and a new take on Homecoming that moves it outside — and it wouldn’t have been possible without the students of Housatonic.

Orchestrating was no easy feat, especially considering much of the work was left up to the students.

Keep ReadingShow less
Housy takes on Halloween
Housatonic Valley Regional High School
File photo

As the chilly breeze settles in, Halloween approaches and the community yearns for spooky festivities — HVRHS has answered that calling. An event held annually for the past eight years, the HVRHS haunted house has returned.

The event is organized by the current senior and junior year classes — 2026 and 2027 respectively — and held to raise money that goes toward the junior and senior class’s activities such as senior week, prom, the senior class trip, and more.

Keep ReadingShow less