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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Huckleberries Online

Walkabout: Don’t Legitimize Haters

RE: Speak freely -- or not/Coeur d'Alene Press Sunday editorial

Walkabout: Every website has the right to control content. It has nothing to do with free speech. Free speech means you can create your own website and say vile things. It means you can protest on the street corner or even have a parade where you express your views. It doesn't mean you could come to my website and say what ever you want. The Press says they want to hear all points of view so they have allowed comments “even when those thoughts horrify or repulse us.” Clearly, allowing such objectionable comments amounts to no standards at all. Yes, there are racists in our community but who really cares what they have to say? Don't legitimize haters by giving them a forum where their thoughts are accepted.

Question: How do  you define free speech?



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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