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Archiver > GEN-MEDIEVAL > 1998-09 > 0904701510


From: Leo van de Pas< >
Subject: Freedom of Speech
Date: 1 Sep 1998 18:58:30 -0700


>This is not a representation of '... the highest ideals ...' of anything; the
>rights of one person end precicely where the rights of all others begin.
That is
>something one cannot codify, nor is it something to which a convenient
slogan or
>catch-phrase may be applied, like 'Free Speech'; it is very much a matter of
>judgement. Judging by the comment on this list over the past many days
>(including my own, I'm not necessarily proud to say), one possible
interpretation
>is that a certain number of the group--perhaps only the vocal ones, to be
>sure--have come, independently and collectively, to the conclusion that
Hines is
>out-of-line. The collective judgement of a group is something that is rendered
>all the time; we call it 'culture', and I don't mean folk dancing or the
symphony
>or acidophilus. Hines has violated the culture of the group, and that
makes him
>a bad boy. Hines has exceeded his rights. Were it possible, he should be
denied
>access to this, or any other, list. His flames are no different than the spam
>against which this list, on other occasions, has been vehement and merciless.
>
>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.

I think the right of Freedom of Speech is a priceless commodity.
I understand this list is about genealogy and history and, you have
to admit, Hines has tried to contribute. He has not asked for the
ankle-biters to snipe at him. However, if I had been Hines, I would
have given a deafening silence and continued with genealogy but,
thank goodness, we are all not the same.
I suppose this is yet another log on the fire.
Leo van de Pas

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