Though I obviously don't agree with the ads, I fully support their right to have them. It bothers me when free speech only applies to that speech we agree with. If we are to retain our right to free speech, we need to guarantee it even for those we disagree with.
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak out for me. ~~ Martin Niemöller (c. 1946)
The author was originally an avid supporter of Hitler, up until the time Hitler decided the state was to rule over the church. Hence the change of heart and subsequent poem.
- November 4th, 2009, 07:12 pm
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