Freedoms of speech and the press in America are liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights -- vital symbols of a free society. Hence, we may find ourselves appalled when news or other events suggest that we may not be as free as we think to criticize the government. But the truth is, the United States has a long history of suppressing basic rights we deem as inalienable.

Most attempts to block these freedoms have come primarily during wartime and in the interest of national security.

Americans may finally want results more than they want teams.

For a country that supposedly celebrates individuality, America has historically been defined by its majority-making super-groups. Partisan politicians and religious sects all jockeying for cultural and structural influence have long been bellwethers for progress, power, and the priorities of the nation.

Rarely do I heap any praise on a politician. I always keep a skeptical eye toward them and am not afraid to call them out when necessary. But today, that praise is necessary. U.S. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky (who is also a 2016 presidential candidate) was a wrecking ball in the past couple of weeks when it came to allowing certain provisions in the Patriot Act to expire.