Reply #17: I support all freedom of speech; with the obvious limitations [View All]

[ChairmanAgnostic]

I even think that DeLay should be allowed to hang himself with his self-promo newsbyte events. But, I can understand France's effort to erase decades of pretty ugly racist thoughts and ideas, ingrained even in their language. English does not suffer from that to the same degree.

I have also read translations of some French philosophical arguments which actively promote the idea that african blacks are smarter than american blacks, and that only immigration from Africa should be permitted into France - and that muslims were plain evil and should be barred - yet, they manage to write that without running afoul of their laws.

Or cross the border, and realize just how hard the Germans have worked to eradicate nazism. It is still illegal to publish Mein Kampf there, yet they still have a serious (current) problem with neonazi skinheads. Do I support their goal of changing their society, at the same time as they continue to deal with a decade of serious social, economic, cultural and environmental difficulties after the Berlin Wall fell? Sure. Can I support their refusal to publish a booklet which can only cause harm? possibly. I'm more grateful that I don't have to make that choice.

In sum, your theory is all well and good. Grounding it in a practical way makes one reconsider any absolute statement.