I didn’t hear it myself, but apparently Queen Beatrix’s Christmas message this year underlined the importance of free speech. But then she went and blew it by adding that of course no one has the right to insult anyone else. Er, then it isn’t really "free speech" is it, Beatrix? Silly woman.
Up To A Point, Queen Beatrix
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2 responses to “Up To A Point, Queen Beatrix”
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I quite agree with her but would say she could have articulated her point better. Along with freedom of speech comes the attendant responsibility of civil discourse in a civilised society. People are too quick to trumpet their freedoms without pausing to consider that every freedom comes with a responsibility. Having failed to do so does not make Her Majesty silly, only perhaps in need of a better speech writer. Please send her my address.
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Tee-hee! Perhaps you should consider it for your next job. And while you are right about the need for responsibility, there remains a treasured place in my heart for the value of ridicule in puncturing pride and pomposity. There seems to be just a little too much these days of people trumpeting that they have the right not to be offended. No one and no thing has the right to that particular get-out-of-jail-free card.
Geoff Coupe's Blog 
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