AS asks Are Some Ideas Too Dangerous To Discuss?
Of course, it seems that we've always had ideas too dangerous to discuss. Never forget that the world's greatest thinker, arguably, was sent to kill himself with hemlock tea for corrupting the youth with ideas... It wasn't even heresy, strictly speaking.
For instance, I dare Andrew to open up an ongoing thread on the merits of Marxism and the finer points of Communism on his blog, and, then, afterwards, provide an honest assessment, in retrospect, if it was a good idea. Which raises the question if there aren't some places that we designate to have discussions. You might be able to 'get away with' such a discussion in academia, for instance. But, not if the roving Malkins and O'Reilly's have their way - they are policing academia more than ever, it seems. (Heck, I'll bet that someone would be willing to cast aspersions on me, simply because I just used the words, "Marxism" and "Communism", in passing).
Here's another that is topical. You'd think that gathering statistics would be more or less neutral, the core of an empirical approach, right? If someone didn't want 'the numbers', it would be about the same as being 'against the facts', yes?
Check out Section 2 of the Hate Crime Statistics Act of 1990 (during the heyday of the Reagan Devolution, with the nation deep in the throws, still, of the AIDS crisis in governance and the Treatment Action Group heydays), of which four Senators voted against, including dear 'ol Senator Trent Lott, who is back in GOP Leadership:
Which brings us to todays Memorable Movie Lines:“Sec. 2. (a) Congress finds that—
“(1) the American family life is the foundation of American Society,
“(2) Federal policy should encourage the well-being, financial security, and health of the American family,
“(3) schools should not de-emphasize the critical value of American family life.
“(b) Nothing in this Act shall be construed, nor shall any funds appropriated to carry out the purpose of the Act be used, to promote or encourage homosexuality.”
Star Trek: Voyager, Season Three, Episode 23, Distant Origin (with clip)[Minister Odala]: "Professor Gagen, you stand accused of heresy against doctrine. So, let me ask you one last time. Regarding the Distant Origin Theory, c-o-u-l-d y-o-u b-e m-i-s-t-a-k-e-n?"
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oh, p.s., AS, human trafficking and prostitution.
