Subj : FidoNews 38:23 [01/08]: Editorial
To   : All
From : FidoNews Robot
Date : Mon Jun 07 2021 03:11:56

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                            EDITORIAL
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Freedom of Speech

This subject seems to be more and more difficult to understand by some
people for each year that passes. Not only in FidoNet but worse than
that, all over the entire world.

   Freedom of Speech is, like all freedoms, binary. Either you have it
or you do not. There is no middle way.

   Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet) did not actually say it, it was
Evelyn Beatrice Hall that interpreted his thoughts this way:

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

   Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Pol Pot, Kim Il-sung and all other
dictators we know of were all in favour of Freedom of Speech. As long
as that speech did not oppose to what they regarded as proper.

   I'm constantly reminded of what a bad person I am to allow this or
that user to execute his Freedom of Speech in the FIDONEWS echo. "Ban
him!" shouts the crowd. I.e. "No more Freedom of Speech here, unless
we like it!"

   Can't you really see what you are saying? Is it really that hard to
press the Next key if you find someone opposing to what you regard as
proper?

   After all, nobody is forcing you to read anything. Neither in a
FidoNet echo nor on Twitter, FaceBook, Fox News or wherever. Surely
you have more important matters to be upset with, or even angry with,
in your lives?

   Once again:

   Freedom of Speech is, like all freedoms, binary. Either you have it
or you do not.

   It's your choice, be sure to choose well. Once you've lost it, it
can take ages to get it back, if ever.




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