Tippaporn

Sorry to hear. I'm sure he's resilient enough to get over it. He has my positive thoughts. Do keep us informed as to the outcome.

Two excellent quotes on debate; debate which becomes impossible without free speech. Or imposed restrictions. “’If you wish to converse with me,” said Voltaire, “define your terms.” How many a debate would have been deflated into a paragraph if the disputants had dared to define their terms! This is the alpha and omega of logic, the heart and soul of it, that every important term in serious discourse shall be subjected to the strictest scrutiny and definition. It is difficult, and ruthlessly tests the mind; but once done it is half of any task.” ~Will Durant, The Story of Philosophy. “Is there any knowledge in the world which is so certain that no reasonable man could doubt it? This question, which at first sight might not seem difficult, is really one of the most difficult that can be asked. When we have realized the obstacles in the way of a straightforward and confident answer, we shall be well launched on [intellectual inquiry, which] is merely the attempt to answer such […] questions, not carelessly and dogmatically, as we do in ordinary life and even in the sciences, but critically, after exploring all that makes such questions puzzling, and after realizing all the vagueness and confusion that underlie our ordinary ideas.” ~Bertrand Russell, The Problems of Philosophy. Food for thought.

You're just here to troll.

Hey, I've no problem with you expressing your disagreement. But do explain how my quoted dialogue leads to the loss of free speech. I omitted the word 'power' for it's impossible to lose the power of free speech. It's inherent within us. You couldn't lose it if you tried. You can, however, deny it.

Censorship is, in a sense, a protective mechanism. Different ideas can be interpreted as a threat. And anything seen as a threat will, often, have a response to counter it. Truth or not truth really doesn't have anything to do with it. As I see and understand it.

I'm one of the few who appreciate GG's posts. If you don't like his posts then don't read them. It's that simple. Ah, well, perhaps it's just the typical western culture of people sticking their noses in places they don't belong. That's one of the things I enjoy about Thailand. They subscribe to a live and let live attitude. Too many in the west have the attitude that everyone else should "live as I do and be as I am." And when that's not the case they get irritated and become belligerent. Which is exactly your response to GG. He's not your cup of tea so you feel compelled to hound him because he's not your cup of tea. Whose problem is that? Interestingly, it's the exact same dynamic that operates regarding free speech. Those who do not think the same are hounded, ridiculed, and censored for thinking differently. The operative idea is that everyone must think the same; do the same; be the same. Or else. I'd say you need some time for self reflection and consider some of the ideas you hold. Perhaps they're not worthy ideas to hold. Up to you.

At least for me, there is nothing worth dying for. Fighting does not automatically imply violence. Fighting may not be the best term then. Perhaps aggression is more apt. The same aggression which brings a newborn baby out of it's mother's womb and into the world. Aggression in that sense being a strong impetus towards experiencing life. There are any numbers of countries which do not have free speech. I wouldn't think of placing upon my shoulders the burden of saving the world from itself. Not my job. I prefer to put out what I have and let people choose for themselves what they will do with it. Fair enough?

You? I think you've got a hardcore follower, GG. LOL

Some things are worth fighting for. Not to suggest that blood needs to be spilled. But who's willing to admit they're afraid of heated debate? All chickens raise your feet. Careful, now. My wife might make quick work and chop 'em off for her next batch of kanom jeen.

Currently there are quite a number of misconceptions regarding freedom of speech. Hence the heated debate over it. To put it simply, there are those who understand it quite well and those who do not. Those who understand it are pro-free speech. Those who do not are pro-censorship. It's a subject that seriously needs to be addressed, in my opinion. I'm willing to have an honest discussion and help dispel the misconceptions.

Some seem to find humour in that. I suspect they'll toss the invitation. No problem. As I said, there's now a forum to suit everyone.

73 baht per? Highway robbery. I'll stick with the cheaper method of refreshing.

The benefit of free speech is that the truth doesn't get suppressed. Those who value truth over beliefs will find it refreshing.

In any case, now that AN is part of Thaiger I invite anyone interested in free speech to check out ThaigerTalk. Those who prefer an echo chamber can remain here. There's a satisfying option now for everyone. We welcome debate of any kind at ThaigerTalk. No one is excluded. Debates revolve around the merits of a viewpoint, not on what a select few deem for others to be acceptable or not. Also, you are free to use whatever sources are out there. There's no Ministry of Truth to pre-determine that. It's up to each of us to suss out truth from fiction. And we're all quite capable of doing that.

Good one, GG. My use of 'gas' was actually inspired by the intro to Humble Pie's last number, I Don't Need No Doctor, from their May '71 gig at the Fillmore East, a month before it closed. Off of their classic double LP, Performance - Rockin’ The Fillmore, their first live album. The late great Steve Marriott: "We, ah, go 'ome on Monday but I wanna tell ya, we all really had a gas this time. It's really been a gas." One of the best live performances of the early 70's from a superb band featuring legends Marriott and Frampton. This was Frampton's last album with Humble Pie before departing on his solo career. Steve Marriott – Lead vocals, lead & rhythm guitars & harmonica Peter Frampton – Lead & rhythm guitars & background vocals, co-lead vocals on “Four Day Creep,” “I’m Ready” & “I Walk on Gilded Splinters” Greg Ridley – Bass & background vocals Jerry Shirley – Drums