"They shouldn't be allowed to speak"


Quick thoughts on a History Channel program
Today when I was running in and out of the house, I caught part of a show that the History Channel was running on the American Nazi movement.

There were a couple of quotes that really struck me. Unfortunately I didn't have time to write them down.

The underlying idea was that American Nazis should not be allowed to speak because they attack freedom and the ideals that make America great.

This was said without a trace of irony.

At least not intentional irony.

Now before I get flamed for supporting hate and racism, let me point something out. If you deprive someone of their freedom in the name of freedom, you are lying.

I don't support hate speech.

But I don't think it should be banned either.

I'm a free market advocate. Most people don't understand all the implications. One of the big ones is that if something has to be "protected" from competition, maybe it shouldn't exist.

That goes for baking soda and gasoline.

Even more so for ideas.

If your ideas can't withstand competition, then get out of the way.

If you have to be protected from hate speech and from really bad ideas, then frankly you are not acting as an adult human should. Humanity's greatest triumphs have always been in overcoming adversity, never in preserving the status quo.

Sticks and stones. Hold someone responsible for their actions, but do not deprive them of their power of speech. Or you aren't much better than they are, even as you reveal your fear.

— NeoWayland

Posted: Fri - June 2, 2006 at 05:55 PM  Tag


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