Discrimination Rights

Basti note I didn't write this although I wish I had. Hat tip for http://tinyurl.com/nqeld grandstand.wordpress.com for this one! More at the link.


Discrimination Rights
Part of the problem with functioning in our chaotic society is the blatant hypocrisy of some of our activists.

For reference purposes:

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

If I were to make this statement: "People should not be promiscuous," I'd get all sorts of comments along the lines of "The government shouldn't be in the business of passing morality laws!"

Of course, I didn't say anything about the government getting involved. I only stated my opinion. I never suggested or inferred in that statement that The People should get the government involved. But the point is that a lot of folks would get their panties in a knot for suggesting that we intrude on the morality of others. (It is my opinion that being promiscuous is a bad idea, that it threatens society as a whole, and should be avoided with all the pressures society can bring to the party-up to the point of getting the government involved.)

Try this statement: "Publishing cartoons that demean another man's religion are in poor taste and should be avoided."

I'd have the Free Speech absolutists down my neck in a second.

But again, I did not suggest that we should surrender our freedom of speech, only that it is a good and wise idea not to exercise rights irresponsibly, nor is it logical to presume that a right to do something automatically means that doing it is a moral and proper thing. You don't need to express your every thought and opinion. Further, exercizing a right doesn't mean you are free from The People's consequences of choosing to exercise it–you are only free from The Government's consequence. The government cannot impose the consequences. THAT is what the Bill of Rights protects and no more.

It is the consequences where we've gotten things all screwed up.