Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Romney's Libyan gamble

Romney has a point -- isn't free speech, even if deeply offensive, a crucial part of a free and democratic society? Isn't it a problem when the instinct is to oppose free speech in America? (Or Canada?)

Or to misquote Voltaire, "I disagree with what you have to say but will fight to the death to protect your right to say it?" Story

  He seized on a statement issued by the US embassy in Cairo, which condemned "the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims - as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions". Mr Romney called this "disgraceful".

2 comments:

CuriosityCat said...

Good point.

It would be better if our politicians denounced those who stir up mischief, but at the same time defend the very important right of freedom of speech.

Doing just one falls short of defence of our liberties while being conscious of others' feelings.

the salamander said...

Romney has a glowing track record of being able to cover two points.. or many points.. rather than 'having a point'.

Smarter, more informed folks than me have noted and validated his propensity to lie pathologically, or completely reverse positions or supposed 'beliefs' to suit his purposes or concerns. Certainly he has a right like anyone else purportedly has, in a supposed democracy or functional culture, to speak his mind..

And so he did recently. In fact via an embargoed statement released approx 12:01 AM today. The consequences of his haste to express such views so promptly may doom him to the scrap heap of presidential pretenders.

I see it as political Darwinism .. perhaps he has weak political DNA.. not even close to being an Alpha.. but thought he was. Now we'll see how the frothing dingo pack he runs in, sees him. The man who claimed at one particular youthful 'point' that he 'longed to be with the troops in Vietnam' yet carefully navigated the Mormon and undergraduate deferrals.. a missionary in France you say ? What.. converting the heathen French savages ?