From: kamprath@space-grant.sprl.umich.edu (Michael F. Kamprath)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asian.american,soc.culture.bangladesh,soc.culture.indian,soc.culture.pakistan,alt.discrimination
Subject: Freedom of Speech, was Re: What is real racism?
Date: 13 Nov 92 22:41:13 GMT
Organization: University of Michigan, Aerospace Engineering
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In article <1992Nov13.051314.17404@husc3.harvard.edu> Nina Yuan, yuan1@husc10.harvard.edu
writes:
>In article <BxMK94.8C3@acsu.buffalo.edu> dtwei@acsu.buffalo.edu (Danielle T Wei) writes:
>>
>>But a culture is based on those "highly irrelevant" moralities..
>>Is it a "good thing" now that the Americans are letting the fundamental
>>bases of their culture rot in the name of freedom of speech?
>
>Gee, I always thought freedom of speech was a basis of American
>culture.

"The fundamental bases of their culture rot in the name of freedom of speech . . ."

" . . freedom of speech (is) a basis of American culture . . ."

Hmmm, Danielle T Wei (aka NW :-) (accidentaly, I assume) brings up a very important
"problem" that exists in our soceity --> Is all the freedom that we have, especially
freedom of speech (and thought), allowing people to be exposed (and "converted)
to "dangerous" ideas, ideals, and "truths" that would cause an erosion of the
fudmamental (moral) values of our soceity.  I cite as an example the freedom of
speech that is gauranteed to racial supremists.  It is true, their ability
to speak freely enables them to spread their idealogy.  Now lets envision a
government that believes their views are dangerous, and thus prevents them
from being spread.  We now have a government that has the power to control
speech.  Some may argue this is good because then these "bad" beliefs won't
be spread.  Now, let's say the people in this government are all male and
believe date rape is a myth.  Therefore, they order their social service
organizations that they can't talk about it (hmm, kind of sounds like Bush
and abortion . . .).  They can do this because the people of the nation gave
them the power to control speech when they ask the government to stop the
racists from speeking.  Now let's say a scientist discovers engine that cleanly
and cheaply provides power to a car.  But the auto industry successfully lobbies
the government into preventing this scientist from plubishing his (or her)
results.  Remember, the people gave the government the power to do this in order
to fight racist speach.  

You see, freedom of speech is an important thing.  It touches your life in
ways that you probably take for granted.  It is the single most important tool
that our soceity posesses for improving itself.  If you don't like what the
racists are saying, speak your side of the argument.  This way you can get
soceity on your side, and this is far more important than getting the government
on your side.  Suppression of differences in opinion can only lead to soceital
decay.  Look at the ex-Soviet Union.  For years we were told they live in
"racial harmony," when in reality the government suppressed any problems that
existed.  Now that the government is gone, the soceity is still there and it
never had a chance to deal with its racial/ethnic problems.  So alot of
the republics are now in a state of civil war (the ultimate decay of a soceity).

Therefore, it is my (very deeply held) belief that Danielle T Wei is dead
wrong in her belief that the fundamental bases of our culture is rotting
in the name of freedom of speech.  Freedom of speech can only improve a 
soceity.  Remember, you have just as much of a right to say "good" stuff
as others have to say "bad" stuff.  Yes, you may not like to hear the racial
problems of this nation (as manifested in the words of others).  But how
else is the problem really going to be solved if everyone does not have
the chance to discuss/work it out?

========================================================================
| Michael F. Kamprath                   | The University of Michigan   |
|   kamprath@space-grant.sprl.umich.edu |      Aerospace Engineering   |
|   kamprath@engin.umich.edu            |      Graduate Student        |
+---------------------------------------+------------------------------+
| This country is a _democracy_.  We all must take responsibility for  | 
| our government's actions because we the people are legally the basis |
| of its existence.  This means that we all owe at least $10,000 each  |  
| on the national debt.  You can't get something for for free.         |
========================================================================
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