[Morgeruat]

Originally posted by pritchke: quote: Originally posted by Morgeruat: So you're saying that freedom of speach is a nice theory, but you shouldn't practice it for fear of offending someone? I'm offended by flag burning (except ceremonially destroying a flag), but I posted a link in this thread from a blog of a guy who burns a flag out of a feeling of patriotism every year, Yes it offends people, but sometimes you have to make an effort to offend just to show yourself and others that free speach does exist and that you will not be cowed by peer pressure. I have a great deal of respect for the French newspaper editors who reprinted them, and nothing but loathing for the words of Chirac cowtowing and appeasing to the muslim mob instead of standing up for a right that is universally recognized in the west. I also think military service should be mandatory for those physically capable of serving, the work of soldiers is far too often not understood by the public they serve protect and provide freedoms for. (and yes I did 5 years in the army so I can wholeheartedly agree about editors needing to serve, not because it will cause them to be too fearful of reprisal to print things that might be offensive, but to make them proud enough of their freedoms to be willing to risk offending someone to prove to the world that those freedoms still exist).

Let me draw a fine line between freedoms and responsibility in terms that everyone can understand. I have the freedom to carry a hammer, I can swing it around, act like a crazy person, as long as noone is not within striking distance. If I walk into a bunch of children should I continuously fling the hammer around carelessly. No, Why not you tell me, I have the freedom to do so? and the pen is mighter than the hammer, I mean sword. [/QUOTE]I agree that the right to swing my fist ends where your nose begins, but I also believe in a simpler law you may have heard of, sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.