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“As we must account for every idle word, so must we account for every idle silence.” — Benjamin Franklin
(I don’t know if I disagree with ol’ Ben, or I just don’t know what the Heck he means! Why don’t one of you explain it to your old uncle?! Be well and do good, friends.) — YUR
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Unclerave's Wordy Weblog 
It would make more sense if reversed!
YUR:
I think it means that while we are generally held accountable for everything we say, it is axiomatic that we be held accountable for those things we don’t say – especially when the situation cries out for them to be said. In other words, is a person to be a sheep and follow along, or stand up and be heard one way or another on the issue at hand. It’s interesting that as we approach the 300 year mark of his time, Ben’s words from this quote seem to be more and more ignored by the general populace.
ralis95,
I think you hit the nail on the head, elder bro. Especially, in this age of political correctness, people are more and more afraid to rock the boat. Question the validity of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and you’re anti-American . . . and you’re against our troops! Raise the issue of the Palestinian injustice, and they call you an anti-Semite. Point out that the pundits and the (kangaroo) court of public opinion: charged, tried, convicted and ultimately executed Joe Paterno, before any concrete action had taken place with the actual (still just alleged) child molester, and you’re an apologist who doesn’t feel for the victims. The same goes for questioning the official narrative of the events of 9/11. If you do THAT you’re more, or less, all of the above. You’re anti-American, probably an anti-Semite, and you don’t feel for the families of the victims of that tragic day. These are just a few, albeit big, examples of how we all must watch what we say. There is such a big push to toe the line, these days, that it’s no wonder that fewer and fewer people are willing to speak out. We seem to live in a higher tech age of Joe McCarthyism. It’s sad, it’s scary and it’s just not right.
— YUR
YUR:
I’m sorry to admit that you are absolutely right. Not sorry that you are right, of course, but sorry that the state of mind in this country has become what it has and that only a few are willing to acknowledge it.
ralis95
Perhaps the quote of Feb. 3 means that we should speak up, and if we don’t, then we have no say and we sit in silence, and not badger anyone else for what they say. We are responsible for what we say, so be careful what you say. Always speak with kindness and respect.
Tolerance and justice go hand in hand. Or, at least they should. Right, Cheryl?
— YUR