For those of you who remember Chris and his interest in free speech, etc.. I remembered this item from a dusty old book. An my apologies to the group for going off thread....
On freedom of speech.......by Benjamin Franklin
My proposal, then, is to leave the "liberty of the press" untouched, to be exercised in its full extent, force, and vigor; but to permit the "liberty of the cudgel" to go with it "pari passu" [on equal footing]. Thus, my fellow citizens, if an impudent writer attacks your reputation, dearer to you perhaps than your life, and puts his name to the charge, you may go to him as openly and break his head. If he conceals himself behind the printer, and you can nevertheless discover who he is, you may in like manner waylay him in the night, attack him [from] behind, and give him a good drubbing. Thus far goes my project as to private resentment and retribution. But if the public should ever happen to be affronted, as it ought to be with the conduct of such writers, I would not advise proceeding immediately to these extremeties; but that we should in moderation content ourselves with tarring and feathering, and tossing them in a blanket.
Benjamin Franklin, 12 September 1789
P.S. Does anyone know the Internet equivelent of "tar and feathers"?
Jim |
