Unqualified Offerings

By Thoreau

A week and a half ago neo-Nazis held a rally in a nearby LA suburb. There was no violence, and the hateful pieces of trash were able to say what they wanted to say in accordance with the First Amendment.  For once, I have no complaints about my country.  I am pleased to live in a place where they can say what they want non-violently and without fear of the law.  Do you know why?  Because as long as their rights under the First Amendment are protected, I don’t have to use the word “but” in a sentence about them.  I don’t have to say “They are hateful idiots but…”  I don’t have to say “I disagree with them but…”  I don’t have to say “Their views are reprehensible but…”  As long as the First Amendment is adhered to, when the topic of neo-Nazis comes up I don’t have to express opposition to anybody but the neo-Nazis.  I like that.  I like not having to take their side on anything.  If I could go an entire lifetime without ever being on their side, that would be perfectly fine with me.

If somebody were to interfere with their free speech rights, then I would have to take their side on something.  I would feel dirty, but I’d do it if necessary.  I don’t mind that the ACLU is prepared, if necessary, to use my donations to fight for their right to free speech.  There are valuable principles at stake (not the least of which is “If the canary dies, something is wrong in the coal mine”).  I’m just delighted that the ACLU didn’t have to use a single cent of my money to fight for these pieces of trash.  I feel cleaner not having to take their side.  Here’s hoping that the ACLU will be able to continue not spending my donations on neo-Nazis.  That would be a good thing for freedom, and, somewhat ironically, the best way to repudiate everything that the neo-Nazis stand for.