Mercy Me.

Chris -

I understand that not everyone can speak fluent Gary. Therefore you may not be aware of the Vast-Overgeneralization form of communication which he finds amusing.

Certainly we're all aware of the benefits of capitalism. We did go to high school in the U.S., remember? It was rather beaten into our brains. Gary knows the necessity of capitalism, that all conservatives are not nutty Christians, etc. Give the boy a little credit. ^_^

That said, I do have to respond that just because capitalism is currently necessary to support a democratic society, that doesn't imply that it is in any way a perfect system. In fact, unchecked, it has been shown time and time again just how dangerous and vicious a system it can be.

I don't feel that it is wise to just get over it. Social and economic improvements can only be made through dissatisfaction with the current system, through incessantly and compulsively seeking out flaws - and the fact is that with capitalism, the flaws just aren't that hard to find.

Similarly so with freedom of speech. Of course there is a right to publish tripe, even facist tripe, and the reasons for that right are very sound. I've read my Bradbury; I understand the danger of "tailoring" that right. But what is legal by necessity is not always right, and certainly denouncable. I have plenty of principles which object to SoF. I understand how vital our rights are. I must, however, use those rights and their necessity as part of the platform upon which I build my concepts of right and wrong, rather than using them to justify the moral apathy and disengagement so popular among the most recent generation or so. I believe what Gary was saying was not that SoF should be banned legally, but rather that he wishes the state of humanity were such that SoF would not be tolerated socially.

Rachel