Defending the Truth

hkbajwa · 11-03-2007, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Man Of Tomorrow

So because many men died. We should just say things that we know are offensive and degrading to people? because of many men also dieing for that right? Hey men died so we can carry guns. Should we all go out and shoot up schools and elevate the level of Violence in our society because we have a right to bare arms?

No one should definately not go out and say things that one KNOWS to be offensive to others.. But the fact is that human values spread across such a collossal spectrum that it is INVARIABLE that things that some people sincerely believe in are hugely offensive to others. There is no way to avoid that. So who's right must be safeguarded in such a situation?

SHould one stifle what another believes in?? or should one stifle the outrage that yet another might feel because of that belief? I don't know about you, but i don't think any human being really is in a position to pass judgement on such a matter.

What humans ARE capable of passing judgement on is the ACTIONS of others. If the actions of one are harmful to another then those actions must be stopped. But if he is merely SAYING something, then what right does anybody have to meddle with that?

Of course freedom of speech is a double edged sword. If you make use of it, then you must also be ready for others to make use of it.

This is something that needs to be worked out between the offender and the offended. There can be no legislation surrounding it. Personally i believe that even nazis have the right to freedom of speech ( even though they would never allow it if they had any power). This is because stifling ANY speech ( no matter how vile, aggressive or negative it is ) invariably leads to anger and frustration. In fact sometimes it even INCREASES the anger and hatred. Speech can only be countered by SPEECH. Not by anything else.

hkbajwa · 11-03-2007, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Man Of Tomorrow

And hey god forbid someone with a moral standard and concern about the direction of society ever be in charge of making decisions on what is right and wrong. how about we leave it to the flip floppers in washington. Or the radical christian leaders that hold themselves superior over us so called "sinners" instead of reaching out to outsiders. Or maybe you should lead us into the future.

NOBODY is qualified or entitled to make executive judgements about what is right and what is wrong. At least no single individual. That is why democracy is so important. Right and wrong are decided by consensus of the WHOLE POPULATIONS rather than by decree of a single individual.

A leader SHOULD have a moral standard and concern about society. But he should have it insofar as it guides HIS OWN actions. He can not start guiding the actions/feeling/opinions of those he leads by declaring what is right or wrong. It is not his right, and he is not qualified. He cannot set the moral agenda for ANYBODY but himself.

intangible child · 06-02-2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Man Of Tomorrow

I think freedom of speech is abused in this country. We are quick to make disrespectful comments about someone or something and then we hide behind Freedom Of Speech, or the ACLU. Its like we use freedom of speech as an excuse to be vulgar and say horrible things. Can we not think of better ways to use freedom of speech. Why is it that we take our freedoms for granted in this country, and when we are called on it we blow up. We are defending the wrong things here. We need to stop defending our idiotic nature, and start respecting Freedom of speech. What we are doing when we have negative, racist, degrading things said on television or radio is disrespecting our freedoms of speech. We lose sight of the fact that many men bleed and died for our right to say insightful and important things. Not run our mouth and say things we know aren't right. Is that what we're all about now in America? calling women bitches, sluts, whores, or saying nigger and talking about god in a disrespectful manner, all in the name of freedom of speech? Since when did the freedom to say what you want mean the freedom to offend everyone without hesitation. Don Imus, Jesse Jackson, and others who keep a spare foot around just in case their mouths need a friend, need not ever forget who gave them the rights to act like jackasses. Maybe one day we will all learn the true meaning of freedoms and how much we should value them. Just remember the people in parts of the world that can't even type blogs expressing their views. In some countries you can get executed for that.

IT'S A GOOD THING HE WASN'T ON THE RADIO....Apparently "Go fuck yourself" is now Dick Cheney's answer to administration critics:

According to congressional aides, [Sen. Patrick] Leahy said hello to Cheney following the taking of the Senate group photo on the floor of the chamber.

Cheney, who is president of the Senate, then ripped into Leahy for the Democratic senator's criticism this week of alleged war profiteering in Iraq by Halliburton, the oil services company that Cheney once ran.

....During their exchange, Leahy noted that Republicans had accused Democrats of being anti-Catholic because they are opposed to some of President Bush's anti-abortion judges, the aides said.

That's when Cheney unloaded with the "F-bomb," aides said.

Let's cut the guy some slack, though. After all, he's probably got some heavy stuff on his mind these days.

The Washington Monthly

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