One of the greatest things about living in the United States of America has been the freedom to speak one’s mind without fear of being abducted, detained or otherwise treated as a security threat by government agents. 

In Italy, the most skilled amateur athletes, from all over the world, have gathered to compete. Many of those athletes are from countries with governments who will be monitoring very closely their every move and word. They will censor themselves for fear of reprisal against them and their families. 

When U.S. free ski Olympian Hunter Hess was asked about how he felt about representing the United States, he answered freely. He spoke of having “mixed emotions,” that it was “a little hard,” because there are things going on in the U.S. that he is “not the biggest fan of.” 

Of course, this sent President Trump into full MAGA mode, calling him “a real loser” and accusing Mr. Hess of saying “he doesn’t represent his country.” Mr. Hess never said that he doesn’t represent the U.S., he simply stated that his moral values did not align with everything that is happening in the U.S. 

Here is what I wish Mr. Hess had added to his response in that news conference: “That being said, I could not be more proud to represent a country where I am free to say what I just said without fear. That’s what makes my country so great.”

David Wood
Waldoboro