Re: Censorship is becoming ridiculous

On Tue, 12 Jan 2021 09:54:23 -0700, in mozilla.general, Ken Springer
wrote: 

>On 1/12/21 7:33 AM, Hartdonor wrote:
>> I believe in Liberty. Libertarianism and classical liberalism are pretty
>> cool things.
>
>Libertarianism sounds good on paper, but it can lead to situations such 
>as described in the following famous quioe.
>
>> First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a socialist.
>> Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a trade 
>> unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Jew. 
>> Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me
>
>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Niem%C3%B6ller
>
>Sometimes you have to be your Brother's Keeper, both  as individuals and 
>as a group.

Not every libertarian is Rand Paul, Ken.

To me, libertarianism is fundamentally "leave people alone if they're not
hurting each other." Increase the space of liberty as the best way to
maintain peace and order. The space is naturally diverse, but not
forcibly diversified. Diversity, to me, is a staple of libertarianism.

Persecution is not. "Coming for people" because they don't toe the line
of conformity is not. Benign difference should not result in persecution.

So, if they come for "the socialists," or Trumpers, or anyone else who
hasn't violated someone's rights or a just law (or encouraged others to
do those things), then I'm going to speak up on their behalf. Immediately
and loudly.

But if we're going to be our "Brother's Keepers," I'd say it works better
if it is mutually agreed upon and therefore enthusiastically embraced.

So, IMHO, we're just going to have to continue to talk to people about
that one. TBS, you don't have to convince me. I believe in the social
contract. Liberty _is_ a social contract.

-- 
Give all you can, don't give more than you can.