• An editorial, from the old site
• Webring list for this page

A principle that is paid lip service in our society, by all but the most radical few, is that each man should feel free to speak his mind, without fear. It is a principle that has been so highly revered in the past, as to be written into the law of the land, and be viewed as one of the defining traits of Western Democratic civilisation. But laws can do us no good, in the absence of the social institutions needed to incline people to respect them, no matter how much lip service they may be paid, or how long they've been on the books.

Theoretically, we, as citizens of a liberal democracy have the legal right to speak freely. Traditionally, there has been a recognition that one should not attempt to circumvent the legal guarantees of this freedom, through knowingly wrongful prosecution based on false accusations. "Trumped up charges", as they're called.

How times have changed. Here is an example, presented for your reading displeasure, of just where our new "values" can lead.