Freedom of Speech?

So back on the 4th of July I read someone update their status about freedom of speech. Here is what was said "As we celebrate this independence day, a day to celebrate our freedom, I have to wonder. Do we really have the freedoms we think we have? I know I'm opening a can of worms "you people" have "advised" me not to, but damn I'm doing it. I don't care anymore. I'm suppose to have freedom of speech but when I speak my mind, I'm told "that's wrong" or "that's inappropriate" or "you shouldn't say things like that". Wake up people!!!! It's MY opinion!!! Mine. You don't have to agree with me. But that "line I'm not suppose to cross" is being crossed right now. How in the hell is it ok for a school to tell me what I can & can not talk about on MY FB page???!!! Not once have I ever mentioned this schools name, or any teachers, etc. As much as I've wanted to recently, I have not. I have had some respect. But I believe this line they talk about has been crossed by THEM! How dare they try to control MY freedom of speech I'm suppose to have in this beautiful country, the land of the free........" She went on to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July. Her update has had me really thinking over the last several weeks. More so just within the last couple of days.
Everything she said was correct. This freedom of speech has become an issue. We are suppose to be able to speak our mind. However, more often than not when someone speaks up, voices their opinion, defends someone, or partakes in a conversation other people are quickly offended if your opinion is not the same as theirs. I'm so tired of hearing people complain that something or someone offended them. There's times where I want to say, "Stop being so sensitive!!"
I think it boils down to this, people need to stop claiming they are offended because someone doesn't agree with them. We as people need to be more open minded to others. Just because someone doesn't agree with us doesn't mean they are a bad person or they are wrong. They just think differently. And that's ok. There's nothing wrong with that. If we all think alike, life would be pretty boring but just because I think differently than you doesn't mean I'm wrong. Start being respectful of others and stop placing judgement. Stop trying to control others.
As the FB posting mentioned, if I, you, we......whoever is ranting on FB and is not name dropping then regardless of what they are saying, let it be. You don't have to agree, you don't have to comment. Just let it be. I will admit, I am guilty of being frustrated with people who don't agree with me or think the same way I do. But this is something I personally have worked to change the last two years. I have become more open minded, less judgemental, more willing to accept other peoples thoughts and opinions. We also need to be more forgiving. This is something I have struggled with and hope one day to be better at.
So, this posting has kinda been all over the place. Bottom line - let's stop trying to take people's freedom of speech away just because we don't agree with them or like their opinion. Be open minded and respect people. I teach my girls - You don't have to like everyone or be friends with every person you meet in life but you have to respect them as a person. Everyone deserves to be respected.......well, unless you are a crazy psycho killer. :)