Bill Gates

The Restless Minds discussion group will discuss the concept of freedom when it meets in February.

The discussion will be held from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10 in the Sewing Room of Oakwood’s Arts and Crafts Center. Restless Minds is an informal discussion group open to all people with inquisitive, open minds. There are no dues or sign-up requirements. Just show up and participate.

“The United States is the largest free country in the world and for over 200 years has had immigrants leaving oppressive situations in many countries to seek the freedom which has been a major founding principle of this country,” February discussion leader Wayne Wright said. He noted the constitution’s First Amendment outlines our basic freedoms as part of the overall Bill of Rights.

Wayne wants to begin by exploring how we define freedom. Included in the exploration will be what the personal expectations of freedom are for a newly arrived immigrant and what they are for citizens or longtime residents.

In a free country are there limitations of personal freedom that will need to be met? If so, who should set these limitations? The questions took on new urgency recently with the killing of a dozen people in Paris over publication of cartoons.

Wayne will also ask the group about the concept of a free society and whether it is truly free for all members of the society.

Restless Minds meets on the second Tuesday of each month, September through May. For more information, call Bill Gates or Bobbie Reed at 480-883-7410.