[governance] Rudeness tectics (was Re: Reinstate the Vote)

[KovenRonald at aol.com]

Dear All --

The problem with proposals to "moderate" rudeness is that they are a form of 
censorship.

If there are persons who choose to be rude or offensive, they should be free 
to do so. Some of the reactions dubbing statements "ad hominem" are overly 
sensitive. And sometimes rude or offensive comments may in fact be justifiable.

Those who make excessive comments are more or less automatically punished by 
having their views disqualified in the minds of large numbers.

Calling for courteous discourse is fine. Choosing to ignore discourteous 
comments is fine, too. But one person's lack of politesses may be another's 
justified anger.

"Ad hominem" attacks may be unpleasant, but knowing who it is who is saying 
what is not irrelevant. Jean-Paul Sartre once said that one should judge any 
statement in the light of "quel salaud l'a fait" -- "what bastard made it."

As for defining "rudeness," I think any definition is bound to be open to 
criticism. It seems to me that it's more like the comment of a US Supreme Court 
justice who once said, speaking of "pornography," "I can't define it, but I 
know it when I see it."

I think les salauds should be allowed to be salauds if that's what they want 
to be. The advantage is that by behaving that way they show themselves up for 
what they are, instead of hiding behind a screen of false politesse. 

If that position is liberalism run amok, so be it -- make the most of it.

Bests, Rony Koven


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