[nathanbedford]

As you might well be aware, I have been arguing against defining rights according to the subjective reaction of the alleged victim. We see the baleful results of this approach on our college campuses in which the rights of free speech have been sacrificed on the altar of feelings.

If my rights of free speech are dependent on the benign reaction of the listener, I have no right of free speech. That is why I have also argued in this forum that we must be very careful about promiscuous use of zotting because it is a threat to free speech and in the end damaging to our conservative philosophy. If we cannot protect what we believe from the Philistines, is not worthy of protection.

Which brings us to the matter of offending Trump supporters. I feel that I render fair comment fairly and that ends my responsibility. I am not a psychiatrist, or a grievance counselor, I am an advocate for a political point of view and I am here to persuade. If those who encounter the persuasion are distressed, they should argue about the truth of the comment or the manner of making it. But of all people on earth, Donald Trump is among the least worthy of solicitude.

One last point, it is interesting how many private mail messages I receive from people who are opposed to Donald Trump who do not go public on these threads with their views. Evidently they are intimidated and that is a very unfortunate as well as a dangerous tendency. Anecdotal for sure but evidence of the power of subjective intimidation.

Thanks for the kind words.

[Gene Eric]

Like I said, your voice is important. But I can’t speak to those attempting to quell your opinion. There’s pressure from both sides of the Cruz/Trump divide attempting to shape our commentary. It’s tiresome.

And while it’s ‘just’ the primaries, we’re battling a value divide we’ve never experienced. For now, I suggest plotting points of discussion beyond the outcome of the primaries. Inevitably, we’ll be there together against the Left.