From: utzoo!decvax!cca!ima!inmet!porges
Newsgroups: net.social
Title: Re: words and actions - (nf)
Article-I.D.: inmet.17
Posted: Sun Feb 13 03:22:55 1983
Received: Wed Feb 16 02:57:46 1983

#R:watcgl:-17800:inmet:8300001:000:1110
inmet!porges    Feb 11 13:01:00 1983

	[Context:  we're talking about women who are offended by girlie
posters, right?]
	Your notorious Voltaire quote misses the point, I think, and it's
a point that causes a lot of needless argument.  To the best of my 
understanding Voltaire would defend your legal right to say something, that
is not to be imprisoned for *lese majesty* (sp?) by the state.  On the other
hand, there is nothing wrong with social pressure at all -- in fact, that's
what free-speech advocates are banking on, that in an open environment what
is "accepted" and "not accepted" be chosen by consesnsus.  (Don't misinterpret
this as a recommendation for mob rule and mob veto.)
	This distinction is also behind a lot of left/right political argument.
A lot of it comes down to "I have a [legal] right to....[charge as much money
for heating oil as I can get"  and the correct response from the left would
be "Yes, you have a *legal* right to be a %%#$$&##".  The same thing works
if you switch the sides and the issues.
					Ready for flame!

					-- Don Porges
					...harpo!inmet!porges
					...hplabs!sri-unix!cca!ima!inmet!porges