I don't have a problem with free speech, I have a problem with 1.) involuntarily paying for it, (supporting them with tax dollars), and 2.) Giving them a captive audience. Otherwise people can say anything they want. It's even easier today, than ever before. Anyone who wants to spend a few bucks a month can start a web site and publish anything they want.
Bob W wrote: >I agree with Aaron on this. > >I'd go a bit further. If you believe in free speech you must defend >the right of people who are saying things you really don't want to >hear, and which may well be crackpot, offensive or plain stupid. For >one thing, it gets these people out into the open so you know who they >are, and who/what you might have to defend yourself against. >Subjecting our own opinions and ideas to attack means we strengthen >those that are of value, and discard those that aren't. This has been >one of the most powerful weapons in the triumph of democracy - it >grows stronger because it welcomes scrutiny and critical examination. >Compare this to totalitarian and theocratic regimes. > >Another aspect of free speech, which people often don't consider, is >our right to hear things and judge them for ourselves, and not to have >some nanny state or self-proclaimed authority decide what is and is >not good for our ears. We are adults, so we have the right to listen >to this sort of guff if we want to, and the right to believe it, or to >ignore it, or to mock it as we see fit. > >Defending free speech for others is how we defend free thinking for >ourselves. > >-- >Cheers, > Bob > > > >>-----Original Message----- >>From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On >>Behalf Of Aaron Reynolds >> >>That's part of why it's so important to let people talk about this >>stuff -- you get specifics that you can examine and attempt >>to counter. >> >> >> > > > > > -- When you're worried or in doubt, Run in circles, (scream and shout). -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
