OT follow-up (was) RE: [at-l]NOT OT: Banned Books Week

[spiriteagle99 at hotmail.com (Jim and/or Ginny Owen)]

Gregory A. Benkert
>>Dawg wrote:
>>I am concerned that it has gotten to the point that you really are frowned
>>upon in the USA for having a differing viewpoint these days.
>
>Dawg, why would it concern you as to whether or not someone's viewpoint is 
>"frowned upon"?

Red -
Because it could mean jail time, maybe?  I know a couple Muslims (among 
others) who've experienced that.

Or maybe, as Shane pointed out, because it could mean you and your entire 
family dying because there are those who "frown on" your religious beliefs - 
with no repercussions to those who "frowned" on your viewpoint?


>Isn't "dissent" and "frowning upon" really the same thing?

In the context that Dawg used - not even close.


>I strongly disagree.  In fact, never before have there been so many avenues
>open to individuals to express themselves.  When I was young, my views and
>opinions rarely made it past my family, co-workers and neighbors.  Now, I
>have the ability to reach thousands.  This message alone will be read by
>more people than I could have ever hoped to reach just a few years ago.

And none of that relates in any way to what Dawg said - does it?


>And I can type whatever I want.  No one is stopping me.

Yet ---


>What does seem to be changing is peoples ability to accept criticism.  It
>seems to me that more and more people believe that they have a right to say
>whatever they wish without being challenged and without assuming the
>consequences.  And that if someone challenges them or disagrees with them,
>or even boycotts them, it is tantamount to taking away their right to
>speak.  It isn't.  All involved are just exercising their freedom.

That part I can agree with - mostly.  But it still has nothing to do with 
what Dawg was talking about.


>I can't think of a single instance where someone has been prevented from
>saying anything.  In fact, it seems that wackier and wackier things are 
>said every day.

Hmmm - really?  Tell ya what - try expressing a KKK vewpoint on a college 
campus.  If you're a student, it would be interesting to see how long it 
would take them to silence you by trial before the Student Council. And if 
you're not a student, how long it would take for the campus cops to forcibly 
eject you.   Is the KKK a "wacky" viewpoint?  Yep - big time.  But it's also 
a form of dissent that's not tolerated.  It's "frowned upon"  and silenced 
as a matter of course on most college campuses.  As are many other 
viewpoints.

Or maybe you'd like to propose an alternative to, say, the Big Bang theory 
and see how fast the science establishment would shut you down.  Being 
denied access to publication is another form of being "frowned upon."  And 
silenced.

If you can't think of a single instance where someone has been prevented 
from saying anything, then it's because you're not paying attention - not 
because it's not happening.  And it ain't gettin' any better.

Walk softly,
Jim

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