Webster defines Freedom as (1): the quality or state of being free as (a): the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action (b): liberation of slavery or restraint or from the power of another: independence (c) the quality or state of being exempt or released (d): ease, facility (e): the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken (f): improper familiarity (g): boldness of conception or execution (h): unrestricted use; (2) (a): a political right (b): franchise, privilege.

The dictionary has eight clarifications of the first definition of freedom and two distinctions for the second definition. With ten options of meaning for one little word, more than anything else, freedom is a concept.

With any concept, freedom means different things to different people. Some people think freedom means they can do whatever they want, whenever they want, however they want (an anarchic concept). Others think that freedom is equivalent to The American Way (another vague concept). There are even those who make the point that freedom isn't free (a word play on a vague concept).

President Bush used the F-word so many times in his reinauguration speech (four more years, people) that it seems that freedom is the reason for every policy made both foreign and abroad. Of course, if freedom means something different to everyone, he was both striking a cord and alienating the country at the same time.

"For a half a century, America has defended our own freedom by standing watch on distant borders."

Let's think about this. Freedom is a concept, a state of mind. It can not be defended through force. Definitions of freedom can be brainwashed through force (e.g., 1984), but no one enforces freedom with a gun. That's tyranny and oppression. Besides, by enforcing the concept of being free, we are not free. Because instead of being free, we are enforcing. No one is free when they are fighting under orders from their leaders.

"There is only one force of history that can break the reign of hatred and resentment, and expose the pretensions of tyrants, and reward the decent and tolerant, and that is the force of human freedom."

Um, human freedom is not a positive or negative concept, or rather, it can be both a positive and negative concept. Saddam Hussein exercised his freedom as a human to take control of Iraq. He proved very capable of exercising his personal freedom. President Bush used the freedom Congress gave him to take that control away from Saddam. Some people use their freedom in positive ways, deciding to dedicate their lives to helping others and the world around them. Others use freedom to be subversive, violent and destructive. Human freedom is a double edged sword. It can punish as much as it helps. Such is the way of freedom and free will.

"The best hope for peace around the world is the expansion of freedom in all the world."

Believe it or not, but the insurgents, terrorists and thugs of the world are exercising a bushel full of freedom. They are doing what they want, killing who they want, and imposing their will on a country they do not represent. Coincidentally, so is the United States of America. Lots of interpretations of freedom being exercised in Iraq right now. With all these expanded and different interpretations of freedom going on, there doesn't seem to be much peace at all.

"We will persistently clarify the choice before every ruler and every nation: the moral choice between oppression, which is always wrong, and freedom, which is eternally right."

Do we have the freedom not to pay our government taxes? The freedom to drink three beers and drive home? The freedom to ignore the orders of the police? The freedom to drive as fast as we want? The freedom take drugs, wander the streets, and laugh at the lemmings going to and from work? The freedom to bypass the security line at the airport? The freedom to take goods and services without payment? The freedom to overthrow our own government by the use of force and violence? Not without the tyranny and oppression of the rules and laws of our nation. Americans have hundreds of freedoms (probably more than any other first world nation), but have just as many ways of being oppressed. Regardless of whether it's right or wrong, if the jail is full, we'll build a new one.

"All those who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: The United States will not ignore your oppression or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you."

By the way, liberty is a synonym of freedom, and freedom is a concept. Hey, Mr. President, almost all of the tyranny and hopelessness I feel comes from stances and actions of the current administration in The White House. Will you stand with me while I verbally go after you, the oppressors of my personal freedom?

We still have the freedom of speech, right?

Chris Jungle would also like a clarification of the phrase Liberty and Justice For All.