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Peeve Farm
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Thursday, October 16, 2003

11:43 - But... but... but... free speeeeeech!
http://politicstalk.guardian.co.uk/WebX?50@184.dV7hbLyYIJS.0@.685ea26f

(top)

What the blithering hell is wrong with Guardian readers?

The paper's site removed the thread on their discussion forums which had the title "Is it time to assasinate George Dubya Bush?"

And, as LGF notes, the forum denizens are now bitching and whining about "free speech".

I would like to challenge the Guardian Media Group Plc to come up with a reasonable explanation why this page was deleted. I can come up with hundreds examples of risky articles printed by their journalists - most of which I usually support. An abonimation of free speach and human justice.

Then someone points out:

You people have a skewed idea of what 'free speech' is.

Free speech does not apply to a private entity that posts rules and guidelines as to what is acceptable behavior on their privately owned and controlled medium.

Free speech also does not allow one to shout 'fire' in a crowded theater or 'Hi Jack' at the airport.

To which the insightful response was:

Inkind - but free speech does allow one to ask questions does it not? Would you prefer something like - 'Should George W be removed from office by the same means he removed Sadaam Hussain?'. After all, whats good for the goose....

I had a witty retort, but... really. I can't even say anything that does this justice.

I mean, what can you say about people who feel passionately enough to argue in its favor, that Bush should be assassinated because he ousted Saddam Hussein?

And what can you say about people who think that "free speech" is anything but the Constitutional guarantee that the government-- let me say that again, loudly and clearly: THUUUHHH GUUUHHHVERRRNMEEENT... shall not abridge the people's right to express their opinions freely? It is not some cosmic force that applies to all discussions in public and private, hosted by commercial entities or conducted in one's own home, whereby you can justify even the most anti-social and hateful statements by shaking your fist at the walls and yelling free speeech! To hear these people talk, which I have done on occasion, they act as though "free speech" is some word they can call out, like "Sanctuary!", which immediately will strike dumb any opponents who wish to punch the speaker in the mouth for publicly advocating the murder of their elected leader.

Incitement to violence is not a protected form of free speech, numbnuts.

And what's more, why is it that the most pacifistic liberals I know are also the people who are most apt to personal physical violence? A couple of months ago, we were heading out to lunch; someone asked where we wanted to go, and I made some silly pun about a nearby restaurant, as I am wont to do. And this one co-worker, one of the most ardent techno-hippies and promulgators of anti-war and anti-Bush rhetoric in the office, without hesitation spun around and kicked me in the balls. Oh, sure, he didn't mean to actually connect, and he apologized profusely while I lay writhing on the floor. But listen, man! It's not me, the rabid warmonger, who countenances physical violence against his fellow man! But if you go to any "peace" demonstration, you're as likely as not to find smashed windows, fist-fights, forcible suppression of cameramen like Evan Coyne Maloney-- I mean, just look at this:

Why is it that people like these Guardian commenters always seem to act like murder and violence are the way to react when democracy doesn't go their way? I'm all for not allowing political power to fall into the hands of people with that twisted an idea of how a democratic form of government works.