Verbeke, and why free speech is important.

[CptColumbo]

This is one of the reasons that free speech in this country is so important. With free speech you know where all the lunatics, and hate mongers are. Without free speech they fester and grow underground without anyone disputing their claims, and they become martyrs when they are denied the ability to express their opinion.
Of course, some think that free speech means we HAVE to listen to them (people yelling bible quotes on a street corner) or that their opinion matters, and that is the sacrifice we must make to live in a free society. But again, at least it identifies who the wackos are and who to avoid.

[Kimpatsu]

Originally posted by CptColumbo
This is one of the reasons that free speech in this country is so important.
Which country is that, Captain? You haven't entered in the Location field where you're at...

[CptColumbo]

The USA

I apologize for forgetting that the internet is international.

[Beleth]

Lunatics can fester and grow underground in a society with free speech, too. They just aren't forced to.

But you are right - having the right to a soapbox does not also give the right to have an audience.

[KRAMER]

Verbeke wrote back. Go to the Challenge Applications thread if you must see.

[CptColumbo]

Originally posted by KRAMER
Verbeke wrote back. Go to the Challenge Applications thread if you must see.

You know a claimant is on shaky ground when the word "lawyer" is used. I've read many of the claimants applications, that have been posted, and the later ones almost always bring up the lawyers. While I would love to see the court case, unfortunately it would not be focused in the area we would wish it would be.

I'm sure there is many a time Kramer would like to respond to people like this with: "I'm sorry, in your claim you failed to mention you were insane." It would be unkind and unprofessional and plays into their hand.

[drkitten]

Originally posted by KRAMER
Verbeke wrote back. Go to the Challenge Applications thread if you must see.

He wrote back again, apparently. Are you going to forward his correspondence to the Belgian authorities?

[KRAMER]

No. I'm not a cop, and I'm not an informer.

I'm not doing anything but trying to ignore this bozo.

It is a fuzzy area, though, when words can really do as much harm as actions, if not more.

[CptColumbo]

Originally posted by KRAMER
No. I'm not a cop, and I'm not an informer.

I'm not doing anything but trying to ignore this bozo.

It is a fuzzy area, though, when words can really do as much harm as actions, if not more.

Like I wrote before, just because I believe this guy and others should have the right to say what they want doesn't mean I have to listen to it. I'm resonably certain you have to open all mail, but I would ask if I could throw it away unopened.

When I was in school, a group of men came to my campus and stood in the commons area yelling about how gays were evil, and those who masturbated were going to hell (or something like that). Whenever I see things like that my blood begins to boil, because as a Christian I hate when people use the Bible as an excuse to be pissy towards other groups. Since they are practicing their right to free speech I try to ignore them, but there were quite a few people yelling back at them, which I feel gives them the power and is what they want. Luckily the school store was nearby, and a friend and I made some signs from the art supplies there. We stood by them with the signs until the crowd started to disperse. They then started yelling at me, I remained silent. When one of them sucker-puched me, campus security had an excuse to remove them from the campus.

When Kramer started ignoring the letters from this hate-monger, he showed his true colors, and his aim.

Good-job
XXXOOO