Freedom has many meanings, but we should all know how to use it wisely and righteously.

The first amendment of the U.S. Constitution should be protected at all cost.

This includes freedom of speech, religion and of the press, among other things, and it should be respected like any other law.

We must be vigilant to know the difference between standing for your rights, and malevolently using this law to our advantage.

Defamation, such as libel and/or slander, is taking advantage of the first amendment.

It can be intentional or non-intentional, but any form of defamation, libel, or slander, is taking advantage of the first amendment’s freedom of speech and/or press.

As the people of this nation, it is in our duty to protect this amendment to the full extent, making sure no person takes advantage of her right just because she can.

However, we must also know our laws, what what they stand for, and how to go about them properly, while still using them to their full capacity.

Although disturbing the peace is breaking the law, protests on different types on global issues take place all the time, and most of them end with arrests of a portion of the protestors.

It may be a violation of the first amendment, but shouldn’t it fall under freedom of speech? Should the people not be able to voice their beliefs to the government?

Harvard University ethics fellow Aaron Swartz, who was accused of hacking into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2011, was facing 35 years in prison for allegedly stealing articles from its data base.

It does not make any sense that a person who tampers with articles from an online database should face 35 years behind bars when a child molester only faces three years for violating a child.

America should really get their priorities straight. Does it care more about documents being allegedly tampered with and stolen, or future generations being scarred for life? is this even a question?

Of course, there should be a more peaceful way to bring attention to issues that need it, but it should also be a freedom that people voice their opinions.

Your beliefs are what you make them. You are free to practice the religion of your choice, say what you mean, and mean what you say.

You are entitled to publish your thoughts, regardless of what they are and whether or not the may be offensive to others. Your message will not get across otherwise.

Don’t be afraid to exercise your right to practice your preferred religion, publish what you think has to be said, or say what has to be said.