Sometimes we offend to make people angry, and sometimes we offend to make an important point. We offend for all sorts of reasons, with all sorts of responses.
None of us is a mind-reader and none of us a fortune-teller, so we can never fully understand the motives or effects of free expression that insults, but does no real damage. That's why we must never react to harmless offense with personal violence or government censorship.
We may react with criticism, condemnation or even a harmless offense of our own. But we we have to assume on a basic level that every harmless offense serves the cause of freedom.
Frank Warner
Are we still talking about Juan Williams?
Posted by: jj mollo | October 24, 2010 at 11:17 PM
Not exactly, except that NPR is a semi-governmental institution. I was thinking more of the artists who offend, for whatever reason.
Posted by: Frank Warner | October 25, 2010 at 03:38 AM
"That's why we must never react to harmless offense with personal violence or government censorship."
So you're saying is that you're not a muslim?
Posted by: Kevin | October 26, 2010 at 11:29 PM