Exiled in a kilt

Ok, this is a subject which I have been meaning to create an entry about for a couple of months now. The thought originated during a discussion on the forum with a proponent of eugenics and racial linkage to IQ (the thread is now deleted), and I have finally got around to posting it after the comments of Tim Hardaway concerning the "coming out" of former NBA player John Amaechi (basically summed up his use of the terms "I hate gays" "I'm homophobic" & "I dont think it should be allowed in the world".

How much freedom should people be allowed in regards to what they can say? Are we more willing to argue people should have the right to freedom of speech if we agree with what they say? To what extent should people be held accountable for the way other people interpret their words (irrespective of how they were originally meant)? & Should people who espouse hateful, derogatory, bigoted, racist, or sexist views be allowed access to a pulpit from which to spew forth their filth?

Ok starting from the top:

There is a misconception that the majority of the world has that they actually have freedom of speech to begin with - you do not. There are any number of laws in the majority of countries which already limit freedom of speech through liability to incite riot, discrimination or workplace labour legislation. The strictness of these restrictions differs between countries (and are tighter after recent world events). Whether or not we agree with the restrictions or not, we generrally accept these and abide with them. I would add another restriction relating to the words used to put forth these views, for example Tim Hardaway is free to be philosophically oppsed to the legitimacy of homosexuality if he so wishes; however his freedom of speech does not give the right to use hateful, bigoted language to put forth his views.

The second issue relates to personal bias, which is inherent in all of us. It seems to me that it is to be expected. However, much we would like to believe that we are completely objective we are not and never will be.

Regarding the next question, I am of the opinion thateveryone is responsible for their actions and words and should be held accountable for these actions; the comments of Hardaway are going to have a negative effect on a large number of young & not so young people struggling to come to terms with their sexuality in a world where too many people are telling them it is wrong/evil/unnatural (despite the fact that there are documented cases in other species of homosexuality as well) and will embolden the bigots to go further with their actions.

Finally, and this may surprise some people given the rest of this entry, yes these people should be given a pulpit to talk from. Ok that needs explanation probably, I do not mean they should have free reign to say these things but these views need to be out in the open so that they can be questioned properly and exposed for the stupidity/ignorance behind them. They do not need to be respected however, that would be the worst thing possible. If these views are not brought out into the open they will fester and we will have no chance of developing a well rounded society.