Tweets Are No Turkish Delight

Whether you like what your government is doing or not, being an American is an amazing thing because of the many civil liberties we do have and so often take for granted.
For example, the election earlier this week was documented by people throughout the country on Twitter and other social media sights. But those constant tweets throughout the day expressed disdain, disgust, excitement, confusion, love, and hatred. Love it or leave it, twitter is a new way we are recording history. And as Americans, we can say a lot thanks to the First Amendment. Like Ann Coulter calling the president the "r-word" on twitter during the last debate, there is a no holding us back from stating and sharing our opinions. And while I don't agree with the likes of Ann Coulter and others who abuse that right to say horrible things with their micro-blogging, I am proud we have that right. Because many places in the world, Ann Coulter would be in jail-not that I'd be mad about that.
Turkey is an example of one of those places. Today, the mayor of the capital city Ankara, is suing 600 people for trashing him on Twitter because under Turkey's controversial Article 301, those who insult "the Turkish Nation" can serve up to two years in prison. The mayor İbrahim Melih Gökçek said on a TV interview that they are tracking down the authors of the tweets who will find "themselves in front of prosecutors. But if they apologize publicly, then I say they're young and forgive them." Sounds generous enough of him.
But back in June, Gökçek, who has been mayor since 1994, spoke out in support of banning abortion saying “Women kill their babies born out of adultery. Why do babies die because of these so-called mothers? Let mothers kill themselves." Things are starting to make sense. If I was Turkish and tweeted, I would definitely have not too many sweet tweets for this man.

The Best Response to Ann Coulter's Tweet

Shame on you Ann Coulter.
Normally, I am successfully able to pretend she doesn't exist and all-together avoid hearing her conservative blabbing. But this can't be ignored.
During the debate, Ann Coulter tweeted this (and try to contain your shock that I am going to point out that this is yet another example of that twittersphere causing twouble with a "tragic tweet of hate")

That's right-she just called our President a "retard." Obviously offensive on so many levels and I don't even know how to respond to such a mean-spirited and hateful comment. But John Franklin Stephens, a 30 year old man and Special Olympic athlete with Down syndrom, did.
He wrote an eloquent, heart-felt letter to Ann Coulter that puts this bitch in her place.
He writes via a Special Olympics blog

Dear Ann Coulter,
Come on Ms. Coulter, you aren’t dumb and you aren’t shallow. So why are you continually using a word like the R-word as an insult?
I’m a 30 year old man with Down syndrome who has struggled with the public’s perception that an intellectual disability means that I am dumb and shallow. I am not either of those things, but I do process information more slowly than the rest of you. In fact it has taken me all day to figure out how to respond to your use of the R-word last night.

He then goes on to say

Well, Ms. Coulter, you, and society, need to learn that being compared to people like me should be considered a badge of honor.
No one overcomes more than we do and still loves life so much.
Come join us someday at Special Olympics. See if you can walk away with your heart unchanged.

And he signs it as "A friend you haven't made yet." Amazing.
It's moments like this that I am genuinely reminded how great the human spirit is. We should all work to see the world and love life as John Franklin Stephens does. We should all face adversity and hate with this kind of quiet strength and compassion that he shows through his words. We should all be careful about our words-on twitter and everyday. And Ann Coulter needs to go the corner and think about what she's done until she can use her words properly.