My earlier statements about Freedom of Speech are bound to meet with some resistance, and for very good reason. Freedom of Speech is not a simple concept to apply because words can, indeed, have catastrophic results. I am a great advocate of Freedom of Speech, but it has its limits. Freedom of Speech applies where words have the potential of hurting people's feelings. It does not apply to situations in which the words directly result in damage to bodies and possessions. Thus, it does not cover the classic case of yelling "fire" in a crowded theater. It does not cover threats of violence. It does not cover slander and libel because they can cause tangible damage to people's lives.

Unfortunately, one area of speech that SHOULD be forbidden is being permitted to go largely unchallenged. I wrote about this in greater depth in the February '04 newsletter article. (Go to the link below if you wish to read it.). The words of authority figures have much greater power than the words of ordinary people. When leaders tell people what to do, many people go and do it. Therefore, it should be forbidden for people in leadership positions to encourage hatred and violence against other groups.

There are numerous countries in the world in which government and/or religious leaders are preaching hatred and encouraging violence against Jews and other groups, particularly Americans. I believe that the official policy of any country that calls itself a democracy should be to refuse to conduct business with any country that whose leaders preach hatred. We are so concerned about fighting terrorism. Yet our government has friendly relationships with countries like Saudi Arabia that officially express anti-Semitic ideas and fund religious schools that teach hatred of Jews and Americans. How can we act like the people creating the next generation of terrorists are our friends? To permit this is both immoral and suicidal.

In my previous newsletter I criticized the large Jewish defense establishment for unwittingly contributing to the perpetuation of anti-Semitism. I need to qualify my criticism. I have no objection to their efforts in combating official expressions of hatred for other groups. When government officials, State-controlled newspapers, and religious leaders call for violence, that IS violence, and they should be fought just as forcefully as we would combat those who are bombing us.