Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: Ratatoskr
Speaking of which, it wouldn't hurt at some point to repeat the old words discouraging religious threads on the grounds that they're off-topic on a political site. Lately, the place has exploded with prayer threads and reprinted sermons. And the "Harry Potter is Hellspawn" stuff (60 Potter articles at my last count) is just embarrassing.

Listen to yourself! You no sooner tell Jim that he's stifling debate than you proceed to suggest what kinds of threads he might consider banning. Do you shave in two mirrors so you can see both faces at the same time?

This is the very essence of the struggle this site undergoes. Some self-righteous prig decides that a particular viewpoint doesn't have the right to be heard, so he demands that it be squelched. He doesn't argue the points or defeat the logic, he goes whining to the teacher because little Billy pinched him. But when Billy whines to the teacher, then he cries "censorship" and "bias," and refuses to do his homework.

If we can't tolerate controversy better than this, we'll never be a force to be reckoned with. Remember, the strength of a principle is not measured by the ease of its application, but by its breadth.

2,800 posted on 12/02/2001 6:44:18 AM PST by IronJack
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2797 | View Replies ]


To: IronJack
Listen to yourself! You no sooner tell Jim that he's stifling debate than you proceed to suggest what kinds of threads he might consider banning.

He might consider? Are you aware that he has done so in the past?

There is no hypocrisy here: There's a huge difference between stifling dissent and staying on-topic. I believe quelling the first is fatal, and maintaining the second is vital. If the place exploded with home decorating tips or a floating bridge game or pet grooming advice or get-rich-quick schemes, I'd expect someone to jump on it pronto.

2,804 posted on 12/02/2001 6:52:06 AM PST by Ratatoskr
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2800 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson