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"I cannot contemplate human affairs, without laughing or crying. I choose to laugh. When People talk of the Freedom of Writing Speaking or thinking, I cannot ch
by glyphosate 4y ago
"I cannot contemplate human affairs, without laughing or crying. I choose to laugh. When People talk of the Freedom of Writing Speaking or thinking, I cannot choose but laugh. No such thing ever existed. No such thing now exists: but I hope it will exist, But it must be hundreds of years after you and I Shall write and Speak no more."
-John Adams, letter to Thomas Jefferson, 1817
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/99-02-02-6790 https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/99-02-02-6790
- Amezarak 4y agoThis is particularly ironic since Adams famously was responsible for the Alien and Sedition Acts and had people imprisoned for criticizing him.
- nonethewiser 4y agoExactly why such values need to be enforced in a decentralized manner. Separation of powers goes a long way in this.
- glyphosate 4y agoFreedom of speech is an ideal - as such it is not easily achieved or maintained, even by the "best" of us - or those who claim to believe most in it. If you read Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media you'll find this "irony" repeated throughout history. It's a problem of human nature, and that's what ideals arduously seek to overcome. https://www.amazon.com/Free-Speech-History-Socrates-Social/dp/1541600495 https://www.amazon.com/Free-Speech-History-Socrates-Social/d...