Friends are Electric

Let us ensure we all understand a very simple thing before we get started on this: I, as a Canadian citizen, have the right to say nearly anything I please. I cannot call for someone to be harmed. I cannot discus some of the work I have done in the past. The first is a limit on my freedoms which a functional democratic nation requires, the second is an agreement I personally signed. There are a few select other cases where I cannot say what I chose to. However, in most cases, I can.

A second thing to understand is that, while you and I have the right to be offended at what someone else says, we do not have the right to be free from offence. In fact, offence is important if you can stand back and rationally examine what made you offended; if you realize that you were foolish for being offended and can move on, good for you; if you decide to remain offended then do not expect the situation to change. You are entirely free to remain offended or ignore me, but you never gain the right to silence me.

Now everyone just step back and think about what was just said. Really consider it. Even the most rational of us often forget this.

And now we can move forward.

What this means is that I can say whatever I wish so long as I break no laws. I am a Canadian citizen writing on a blog which is likely hosted in the United States of America. It is fortunate for me that both of these nations respect such freedoms.

I will always say what I think and I will never censor anyone on this site so long as they are being civil and reasonable. I would like it very much if everyone else did the same, all across the world.

Let us ensure we all understand a very simple thing before we get started on this: I, as a Canadian citizen, have the right to say nearly anything I please. I cannot call for someone to be harmed. I cannot discus some of the work I have done in the past. The first is a limit on my freedoms which a functional democratic nation requires, the second is an agreement I personally signed. There are a few select other cases where I cannot say what I chose to. However, in most cases, I can.

A second thing to understand is that, while you and I have the right to be offended at what someone else says, we do not have the right to be free from offence. In fact, offence is important if you can stand back and rationally examine what made you offended; if you realize that you were foolish for being offended and can move on, good for you; if you decide to remain offended then do not expect the situation to change. You are entirely free to remain offended or ignore me, but you never gain the right to silence me.

Now everyone just step back and think about what was just said. Really consider it. Even the most rational of us often forget this.

And now we can move forward.

What this means is that I can say whatever I wish so long as I break no laws. I am a Canadian citizen writing on a blog which is likely hosted in the United States of America. It is fortunate for me that both of these nations respect such freedoms.

I will always say what I think and I will never censor anyone on this site so long as they are being civil and reasonable. I would like it very much if everyone else did the same, all across the world.