1925frank
Posts: 1039
Joined: 6/20/2006 Status: offline
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I want to express my thanks to Jason as well. On other matters, freedom of expression, at least in the US, is the right to express yourself without the Government's compelling you to keep your opinions to yourself. No government is telling anyone to keep quiet. No right to freedom of expression is in play. In the US, the freedom of expression is valued because it is believed to be the best way to get to the truth or, alternatively, the best way to air out all the competing factors and to evaluate them. Freedom of expression works best when punches aren't pulled. In theory, if you express a stupid idea, it will be exposed as stupid. A person losing the battle of ideas can't complain that his freedom of expression is being surpressed by contrary views. The person losing the battle of ideas is reaping the rewards of the freedom of expression -- his ideas are being exposed as faulty. Civility is what is at issue here. After reading some posts, I have the impression I've just witnessed the forum equivalent of a mugging or an assault. It's possible to disagree without being abusive or insulting. If abuse and insults are the cards someone plays, it's almost a sure sign the person has nothing substantively to back him up. (When you have the law on your side, you argue the law. When you have the facts on your side, you argue the facts. When you have neither the law nor the facts on your side, you just argue.) Back to Jason, notwithstanding the bumpy ride, Jason has remained courteous, patient, and dedicated. You can express a complaint without having to worry about being disrespected or the target of abuse on the forum. I think basically the rebirth of CS became largely a one-man show by someone who hasn't been in this line of work before and who is learning as he goes. It takes a lot of courage and dedication to do that, and Jason has shown both courage and dedication. I think this is a great thread to give credit where credit is due. So three cheers to Jason Petho. (It's Petho, not Pethro, isn't it?)
< Message edited by 1925frank -- 3/17/2008 2:54:11 AM >
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