Flame — HabitableZone

Flame » in reply to I'm glad to hear it. [Originally Posted to Off-Topic by Mary Anne (moderator) on 9/4/2005 8:36:13 AM]

hmm
Mark Eby — (archived)

Making a statement about "preaching treason" sets off record setting flame threads yet "Just as an aside, why do some of you find criticism of the Iraq war 'treason' and yet accept a moron that advocates the same principles your parents fought to defeat?" deserves a pass? Not even moderate contradicition allowed?

Sorry Mary Anne no. Please note I used the qualifier sometimes because I consider most of RL's posts valuable. The title was far from a flame IMO. I'm getting real tired of the free speech applies to only one side approach. You are quite right that accusations of treason can inhibit speech, but so do the same tactics the liberal side of the board have been applying. It's a double standard whether you see it or not. Free speech is about being free to say what you want. It's not about saying what you want without rebuttal or without fear of someone being angered by your words or strongly disagreeing with them or even labeling them as something evil.

Racists may be free to speak out, but they are not free to incite violence or not to face angry rebuttal. People have every right to be angry about 911 and the PC attitudes that helped allow it, and any actions they feal hurt this country. Some choices of words are far better than others for building consensus, but people are not limited in this country to being civil in expressing their distaste for certain views.

I know this board has standards meant to maintain civility and everyone is rather touchy these days so we don't rigorously apply standards of free speech except on flame. I have no trouble with you moving the whole thread on that basis. I do disagree however that my post should be considered out of line on OT. Not however enough to argue for 2 to 3 pages about it.

Regards,
Mark

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