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From: "D. Spencer Hines" <>
Subject: Re: Freedom of Speech
Date: 2 Sep 1998 16:59:56 GMT


Yes, and even when you do say it reasonably *precisely*, you can't spell
*precisely*.

Perhaps your first language is French or Spanish. If that be the case,
forget about it.

Yes, you certainly have the right not to read what I write. But you do not
have the right to stop everyone else from reading it.

Free Speech is a very precious and precarious thing. We should all have a
better understanding of how fragile a right it is. It is not just kings and
queens and dictators who would restrict the right to Free Speech.

As we have seen so graphically and frighteningly, right here on SGM, it is
most often just ordinary people who do not want to be embarrassed by their
own ignorance, sloth, carelessness and envy.

We tend to think that people only want to restrict Free Speech for political
or religious reasons. Actually, it is much more often for starkly, darkly
or humorously *personal* reasons.

D. Spencer Hines

Lux et Veritas
Fortem Posce Animum
--

D. Spencer Hines --- William Jefferson Blythe III [Bill Clinton] President
of the United States --- Peccatoris Justificatio Absque Paenitentia, Legem
Destruit Moralem. "Clinton's an unusually good liar. Unusually good."
Senator Bob Kerrey [Democrat, Nebraska]

Lawrence Bouett wrote in message
<>...
>Leo van de Pas wrote:
>
>> <much snipping>
>
>> >Hines has the right to speak; he does NOT have the right to be heard.
>> >
>> >Lawrence Bouett
>> >
>> Dear Lawrence, I had hoped I would stay out of this argument. However,
as a
>> Dutchman I would like to observe that your last sentence seems 'Double
Dutch'.
>> Hines has the right to speak but not to be heard? I would say Hines has
the right
>> to speak---you have the right not to listen. In a vague sort of way that
is what
>> you said but it does not come across that way.
>
><more snipping>
>
>Dear Leo,
>
>I stand corrected. It's a case of my knowing what I wanted to say, but my
not
>saying it precicely. [sic] At least, with a little effort, you found my
meaning.
>Thanks. :-)
>
>Lawrence
>

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