If I had 1/100th of a penny for every word written in this country in the last month on this topic, I wouldn't have to work anymore. So I will keep it brief.
For the last time: ideas and commentary should NEVER be banned, even when 99% of us disagree with the substance of what is being said.
Yes, that includes position papers by people who (a) want to have sex with animals or children, (b) worship the devil, (c) believe the Holocaust never occurred, (d) support Osama Bin Laden, or (e) advocate euthanasia for everyone over 65.
There are some fine points (why child pornography isn't protected speech, rights of private property owners to ban offensive speech), but those are for finely tuned Supreme Court decisions, not for broad debates in small spaces.
In my view, if your political, religious, moral or sexual beliefs cannot stand up to critical comment, they are not worthy of serving as your core beliefs. And if you come from a culture that squelches open debate and discussion, that is your choice, but don't try to bring that west of the Atlantic.
Thank you to South Park (this week's Family Guy episode) and Acton Gorton (Daily Illini) for standing up against the forces of censorship and fear. Like Cartman said: standing up for free speech might mean taking risks, which we haven't had to do for awhile in this country. See also the whimsical 'Muhammad and Me" blog at: http://muhammadandme.blogspot.com/
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1 comment:
Agreed! Anyone that even tries to stomp on the rights this country was founded on should be thrown the hell out!
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