[PLUG-TALK] Fadeley vs. Free Speech

[Russell Senior]

>>>>> "Keith" == Keith Lofstrom <keithl at kl-ic.com> writes:

Keith> Letter to the Oregonian: Free speech is wild, not tame.  For
Keith> the first time in history, the worldwide web permits
Keith> individuals with limited resources to reach a global audience,
Keith> and the rest of us to amplify or ignore them.  Judge Fadeley
Keith> ("The Wild, Wild Web", June 18) would use the courts to
Keith> restrict online expression and protect institutions from harm,
Keith> yet does not mention the harm these institutions can do to
Keith> individuals with legitimate grievances.

Keith> The cure for damaging speech is more speech; if you don't like
Keith> what someone says on the web, you can use the web to rebut
Keith> them.  In time, the better argument will prevail, regardless of
Keith> the wealth or the institutional credentials of the opponents.
Keith> In an era of open discussion, some organizations will fail and
Keith> others will prosper.  We should not prop up the losers.

That, by the way, is (nearly) the mantra of ACLU 1st Amendment Zealots
(with whom I have great sympathy): The answer to objectionable speech
is, not censorship, but more and better speech.

There was an interesting discussion broadcast on (June 16) Friday
evening from the City Club of Portland, which was a debate on Oregon's
even more liberty-granting free speech provision of its constitution.
Charlie Hinkle pretty much demolished his opposition, which consisted
of some handwringing that Oregonians (despite having 3 recent
opportunities to change the constitution) really didn't want so much
freedom.

Watch here for the MP3 to become available:

  <http://www.pdxcityclub.org/forums-events/friday-forums.php#ListenOnline>

See also: 

  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech>


-- 
Russell Senior         ``I have nine fingers; you have ten.''
seniorr at aracnet.com