Originally Posted by Worldwalker
No, he's defending someone's right to write a book about abusing children. Speech is not action. I can write a book about murdering someone, or even instructions on how to go about it, and that is not the same thing as me actually murdering anyone. Speech is not action, and action is not speech.
You would be surprised.
And "responsibility" is a code word for "except where I say so." You say free speech is good, but you want people to be "responsible" about it -- only speaking about non-controversial topics. Someone else (probably running a HOA) says people are free to park where they want, but they should be "responsible" about it and, y'know, not park in their driveways. People should be "responsible" about what they do ... which always comes down to following the rules of the person who is touting "responsibility."
Because it's never for one's self. Nobody ever says "ban that book so I don't read it" or "prohibit me from parking in my driveway" or "don't let me say words that offend anyone." No, it's always him, her, them. It's someone else whose actions need to be controlled (because we ourselves are always "responsible", are we not?), someone else who must be looked out for, someone else ... someone else ... someone else ....
If there is evidence that this individual has molested a child, then arrest him.
If not ... ordering his book from a place where it is illegal to own is should be considered entrapment.
I am now going to commit a crime.
By reading what follows, you too may be committing a crime.
Communism is bad. Tibet deserves self-determination. China should be free. Democracy is everyone's right. And what's wrong with Falun Gong, anyway?
Crime complete.
What, that's not a crime where you live? It's a crime in mainland China. A rather severe one, in fact. It's just as much a crime for me to say that (although I don't live in China) as it was for someone in a totally different state, where it was not illegal, to write that book, only to be charged with a crime in a state which, to my knowledge, he has never actually been in. He and I have both committed crimes. You probably think what I write was perfectly okay, but the largest country on Earth would disagree with you. It's "irresponsible" to say such things. They harm social stability. Should I have to worry that my home government will arrest me and turn me over to China for trial and punishment because what I just wrote is a felony in China, even though it isn't one here?
Free speech isn't just for speech everyone agrees with. That kind doesn't need any protection at all.
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