Free Speech Doesn't Mean Just Speech You Agree With
Some twit threw salad dressing on Pat Buchanan to protest his "conservative views," as an AP story puts it.
"Stop the bigotry!" the demonstrator shouted as he hurled the liquid Thursday night during the program at Western Michigan University. The incident came just two days after another noted conservative, William Kristol, was struck by a pie during an appearance at a college in Indiana.
Sorry, dude, but it's essential to a democracy that everybody be allowed to speak, no matter what you think of their views. Get a podium of your own if you want to spew about Buchanan, but keep the salad dressing on the greens, buttwad.
Hi Amy –
>>it's essential to a democracy that everybody
>>be allowed to speak, no matter what
>>you think of their views.
Spot on. All points of view must be heard.
Voltaire always had a nice turn of phrase: "Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd."
He also stated: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
L'Amerloque
L'Amerloque at April 2, 2005 10:45 AM
Forgive a minor correction, but saying that "everybody be allowed to speak" does not equate with "all points of view must be heard." If someone has a point of view but doesn't wish to voice it, that is ever his perogative. To say that we all points of view must be heard suggests that should a person wish to reserve comment, we have no choice but to drag him to the podium and beat his opinion out of him. Pat Buchanan has a right to his opinions, but no one can force them to voice him. (And given the fact that the man is a racist homophobe, I would respect his right to keep his mouth shut should he choose to do so.)
Patrick at April 2, 2005 11:06 AM
But I would say that it's particularly healthy for ugly points of view to be heard, so they can be pointed out as ugly and wrongheaded.
Amy Alkon at April 2, 2005 11:28 AM
People who object to other people's opinions should just shut up.
/facetiousness
Deirdre B. at April 2, 2005 11:59 AM
Buchanan looks to be laughing in the picture. At least he was a good sport about it.
It's unfortunate that Ann Coulter has so far been the only one quick enough to dodge food thrown at her, when she deserves it much, much more than Kristol or Buchanan.
Little ted at April 2, 2005 12:37 PM
Hi –
>>If someone has a point of view but
>>doesn't wish to voice it, that is ever his
>>perogative.
Of course. This same silent person, then, shouldn't complain when the people who do voice their points of view impose their will by spurious arguments, omission of fact, or, alas, outright lies.
What was that comment ascribed to Edmund Burke, again ? Oh, here it is:
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"
L'Amerloque
L'Amerloque at April 2, 2005 10:12 PM
Sometimes salad dressing IS speech.
THE Curtis at April 3, 2005 12:08 AM
Hi -
"Misdemeanor speech" ? (smile) That's a new one.
L'Amerloque
L'Amerloque at April 3, 2005 4:06 AM
"But I would say that it's particularly healthy for ugly points of view to be heard, so they can be pointed out as ugly and wrongheaded."
And I definitely think you're the woman most fit for the strenuous job of pointing out the ugliness of ugly points of view. You take to the task with great relish when many others sit back and let the ugliness stand. Thanks for your good work, Amy.
Lena Cuisina, Fan of Amy at April 4, 2005 11:58 PM
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