A bit of a rant.

[flewellyn]

So I've been noticing something in debates that crop up on the net, and in real life;
a lot of the time, people who strongly disagree with someone will first say something
like "You have the right to your opinion" or "Of course you have the right to say that"
or something. Alternatively, if you say something strongly disagreeing with a previous
statement, others will chime in and say "Hey, he (or she) has the right to say that!"

This drives me abso-frelling-lutely NUTS.

Why, you ask? Well, because the notion in Western society of freedom of speech
means just that: the complete freedom to say whatever you want. So, of course,
it's trivially true that people have the right to their opinions, the right to say "that",
whatever it is. That's not ever, ever in question. It's a given. It's like starting
a debate on scientific matters with the statement "Well, of course you realize that
gravity exists."

So when I hear people say this, I have to start wondering why. Free speech
being a given, what motivates someone to point it out? Why would anyone
feel the need?

Obviously, it's very condescending. The people in question might just be saying
"Well, your right to free speech means you CAN say that, but anyone with a brain
would not, because of course it's utterly wrong." This is not the right foot on which
to begin a debate. One of the points of debate is that you are open to being convinced
of the other person's point of view, or at least some moderation or modification of
your own. (Yes, I have been known to change my views when presented with
convincing evidence that they are wrong. It's rarer than it should be, probably, but
then, I always assume that I'm wrong more often than I'd like, but less than I'd fear
in my darkest moods.)

Beyond condescension, though, I worry about the mindset that brings forth this
sort of utterance. I'm wondering if, perhaps, people who say this sort of thing do
so because they believe that they can, or should, give their permission
for the other person to hold beliefs or opinions that contradict their own. That,
but for this little pesy freedom of speech thing, these people would readily suppress
opinions that disagree with theirs, and they're being magnanimous in granting others
the freedom to disagree with them. Given the current political climate in the US,
that's not a very comforting thought.

It's not just conservatives that do this, of course. I have gotten the
same statement from liberals with whom I was arguing. Regardless, it's infuriating,
and tends to make me discount the actual words of the arguer; if they feel the need
to remind me of my freedom to think and speak as I wish, they are not likely to
actually listen to anything I say, and I'm more than happy to return the favor.

So, if anyone is actually reading this, please please please do not use this statement
in any discussions we may have. In fact, please don't use it in any discussions, period.
I think it would go at least a small distance towards helping to repair the breakdown in public
discourse.

Comments

[defenestration.livejournal.com]

Its like the tolerance thing. "I tolerate you and your opinions, but you're wrong and I hate you." Fuck off.

But yeah. In arguements people disagree. I seldomly have them with people I know don't have them fairly.

I'm rambling. But I'm allowed. HAHAHAHAH. Ha. *cough*

[jennifoot.livejournal.com]

The right (n.) to free speach does not make one right(adj.). I wish more people understood that point.

[flewellyn.livejournal.com]

This is also true, but somewhat tangential to my point: the right (n.) to free speech is not in question, and explicitly saying "you have the right to your opinion" is just insulting.

Although, y'know, you are correct. :-)

[turner23.livejournal.com]

i like to think of it as a veiled threat.

you know, if we didn't live in america, i could take you out into the street and shoot you, with no repercussions, for saying what you just said, but as we live in a bastion of democracy and freedom, i will have to point out that your comment has all the social relevance and is acceptable to me as shouting cinema in a full fire.

the fiend
the politics of dancing