We're being intellectually disarmed.
Reader comment on item: Media Admits Censorship due to Islamist Intimidation

Submitted by MelM (United States), Apr 4, 2008 at 23:17

Our Western governments aren't doing their jobs.
What is appalling is that our governments aren't stepping up to defend our right of freedom of speech. They step aside and leave the jihadis free to threaten our lives. Instead of the appeasement cravings and compulsions we see, our governments should be making some threats of their own. If not, governments--in order to protect citizens from jihadis--will choose to (and will have to) formally curtail freedom of speech. Threats against citizens who exercise their freedom of speech cannot be tolerated--as long as nothing is done, this right is, in fact, seriously eroded.

We'll be intellectually disarmed.
What's it going to come to? Will we be threatened just for complaining that jihadi threats are curtailing our freedom of speech? Are we going to have to face a deadly enemy without those, such as John Lewis, who offer ideas about what should be done? The most basic start is for our governments to get off their bellies and state clearly that it is not their job to judge the views of those who speak but to protect the right to speak and that, in fact, actions which may involve lethal force, will be taken to protect that right--not one word condemning the speech (or agreeing with it) should be uttered by officials.

Those who, because of security concerns, have curtailed publication or speech, should certainly not hide it from themselves. Indeed, I think it would be a good idea to let their senators and the White House know what's going on. The front line is not just in Iraq, it's at our front doors.

From "The Rule Of Reason Blog":
If Wafa Sultan is not free, I am not free http://ruleofreason.blogspot.com/2008/04/if-wafa-sultan-is-not-free-i-am-not.htm

Craig Biddle (The Objective Standard):
Religion vs. Free Speech http://www.theobjectivestandard.com/issues/2006-summer/religion-vs-free-speech.asp

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