Freedom Means Standing Up For the Rights of Those We Don't Like, Respect or Admire

For John, BLUF:  If our rights go it will seem like not a big deal until we note the balloon has totally deflated.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Mr Sm Bowman, writing at Adam Smith, gives us "The innocence principle".

This, of course, goes to recent events, including the Grand Juries referencing Police Homicides in Ferguson, MO and NYC, as well as the recent Rolling Stone item on alleged gang rape at UVA.  The article, dated 9 December of this year has an estimated reading time of 4 minutes.

The idea of innocent until proven guilty is part of our law, specifically spoken to by the US Supreme Court.

Already I see people chipping away at our Freedom of Speech, based on the argument that they are hurt and offended by someone else views, as expressed.  Already we are becoming more like Canada, where the loud minority may shout down some member of the majority, because some minority members feel hurt by another's exercise of free speech.  Having been, in places, a member of a minority, I celebrate the right to Free Speech.  Let us resist chipping away at the idea of innocent until proven guilty.

Here is the last paragraph of the article.

Hayek speculated that liberal institutions like these evolved over time, because the societies that lacked them eventually fell behind the ones that upheld them.  Politically and culturally, we may be witnessing an erosion of these institutions now.  That would be a catastrophe.  But it is not too late to change course.

Yes, it is all about culture.

Hat tip to the Instapundit.

Regards  —  Cliff