The Blackbox Debate

I doubt that anyone will be surprised when they read this. Free Speech should never be curtailed except when used to defame or maliciously damage the reputation of an individual or legal entity. The point is that we all have opinions and beliefs and curtailing anyone's right to say what they beleive is an infringement of their civil rights. I personally find for example the remarks made by Shiek al-Hilali about women to be very offensive BUT I have two probems with the storm of passion about them. 1) They have been quoted as stand alone out of context and that as we all know can vastly distort the intent of the original speaker. I woulds like to hear the entire speech. 2) They are his opinion. Whether or not I agree it is for him and his church to decide whether or not they are appropriate and act accordingly. This opinion of course is one of the problems I have with Islam. Particularly as there is very little Quranic support for the attitude. So Freedom of Speech. It is in my modest opinion one of the most basic rights of all and is a right upon which many of the freedoms of which we are so proud hinge. To once again quote Benjamin Franklin "He who is prepared to give up essential liberty in return for a little safety deserves neither liberty not safety." It's as basic as that. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au