On 20 Oct 2010 at 19:06, Andre Broersen wrote: Platt to Andre:
What did you expect to learn? Andre: I was hoping to explore with you the possible conditions (or not) under which the appeal to free speech might be restricted. I am not talking about any Tom, Dick or Harry or Mary saying what he/she wants. I am talking about person's in 'authority', persons in representative functions (e.g. politics). Or those situations Arlo brings up in his latest post. Are we simply allowed to say what we want? Is it wise we, at all times and under any circumstance, say what we want? I am simply questioning the wisdom of, for example, a Wilders and suspect ulterior motives that have nothing to do with doing justice or even showing respect for this intellectual pattern of value. His statements go against at least 3 constitutional rights (also hard fought for...which some members within his club want to see amended). Platt I see no problem in what Wilders has said. A potential for violence in return for being offended is no reason to curtail free speech. As for "justice" being an intellectual pattern of value, in most cases it's a static social pattern enshrined in the law. The intellectual patten than applies is the one that guarantees all citizens equal treatment when accused of violating the law. This means that laws guaranteeing free speech apply equally to politicians, government officials, capitalists, communists, anarchists and all citizens regardless of race, color or creed, Wilders included. The way to silence a politician you disagree with is to vote against him. But I see an increasing number of voters in the Netherlands support him. In short, any restriction on free speech should be only in cases where immediate physical harm is obviously present, like shouting fire in a crowded theater. Hope this meets your request. Moq_Discuss mailing list Listinfo, Unsubscribing etc. http://lists.moqtalk.org/listinfo.cgi/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org Archives: http://lists.moqtalk.org/pipermail/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org/ http://moq.org/md/archives.html
