Free Speech

Richard Martineau wrote about an Imam in the "Journal de Montreal" that was calling for the death of homosexuals, feminists and pretty much the whole population of the earth except for him. Now, while I do think that the Imam (who is apparently of Haitian descent) is downright insane, I also think he has the right to talk about whatever he likes. The thing about free speech is that you CAN be a racist and a bigot. You can even start a movement against free speech if you feel like it. That's the definition of being free.

On a related note, the grief against the imam was that he was inciting mail. Again, it seems to be technically true, but the guy was such a caricature that it's ridiculous to think that anyone with half a brain would take him seriously. Then again, this is just what the media did by giving him a tribune. Now, the whole of the province knows about his ideas; his message is being distributed widely. I think that collectively, we should stop caring about what such people have to say. The good thing about free speech is that while everyone can say whatever they want, you don't really have to listen!

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