On Freedom of Speech

For a thorough definition, please see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech

On March 29th, 2011, I received a private message (found below), presumably in response to something I have written. For anyone who believes in freedom of speech, who believes in a world in which we can say what we like, freely, and not feel that we will be defamed, threatened, physically harmed or killed because of it, please read the following with great concern. There are people out there who do not want you to be able to express yourself. There are people out there that will do whatever they can to silence you if what you say runs against their own beliefs, or if it offends them in any manner. If you do believe in freedom of speech, if you do not want to go down the road of those evils in the past found in Fascism, Nazism, Totalitarianism, etc., then you have to continue to speak up against such evils. You have to also know that others who spout out things that run against your own beliefs, which may even offend your most personal heartfelt character, must be allowed the same privilege to do so. Freedom of speech means allowing the freedom of those that you despise the most, to speak freely alongside of you and for you not to attempt to defame them, threaten them, physically harm them or attempt to kill them because of it. Living in a better world, one in which we as a species coexist and listen to one another, despite whatever it is that we are saying, is a goal that I myself hold utterly dear within my own heart and mind. I know that I am not alone in this venture, and I hope that you who value your freedom of speech know that you are not alone as well.

-delapruch

This March 29th ranter wrote the following:

“You are an absolute tosser. It's a pity really, because if you poured as much energy into actual poetry as you do into vitriolic, narcissistic, troublemaking nonsense, written by a sociopathic moron who obviously gets a kick out of offloading all his own insecurities onto everyone else, your work would otherwise have some small amount of merit.

Oh and btw if you do insist on persisting with this line of abuse you have embarked on, I personally will pull out all the stops to have you removed from this site. And just for your information, in case you think this a hollow threat, think twice, as you JUST DON'T KNOW WHO IT IS ONLINE THAT YOU ARE MESSING WITH who happens to be close freinds with a trusted and sincere writer of great worth.”

For information on examples of societies which have not practiced the Freedom of Speech in the past, leading consequently to the deaths of millions of people:

http://en.wikipedia.org
/wiki/Censorship_in_Germany#Nazi_Germany_.281933-1945.29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Stalin#Purges_and_deportations

For a more elaborate and detailed list of present day countries which do not practice Freedom of Speech, visit the following:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech_by_country

For a great site on the Freedom of Expression, please visit Professor Mark Cooray’s website concerning the topic:

http://www.ourcivilisation.com/cooray/rights/chap6.htm#6.1

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

-Voltaire paraphrased.

“You cannot sedate all the things you hate.”

-Marilyn Manson

a beautiful note on the subject at hand:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AQ4tjMFhKc