minority report

I’m frequently either disturbed or puzzled by how often I turn out to be in the majority on those CNN reader polls on various issues. (Can I really be that globally mainstream?) However, once in awhile I’m way in the minority. See here:

Should France have deported the Roma community?

Yes 63%
No 37%

NO! They shouldn’t have. Let’s be very careful about picking on the Roma, OK? There’s a bit of a history here.

This was also one of those cases that reminded me never to read comments on any blog. Some jerk American living in Spain made a comment about how all the Gitanos there are swindlers and thieves, etc. etc. I’m not naive enough to think such people don’t exist, but why on earth are they allowed an audience of millions at someone else’s expense?

Freedom of speech means you can’t be thrown in jail for saying stupid, bigoted things. It doesn’t mean everyone has a right to mass media access for their ignorant ravings. I’m all in favor of free-ranging debate, but a bit of quality control is in order.

Another recent news story that reminded me of this… The suicide of the so-called “Craig’s List Killer.” Many commenters making fun of his ex-fiancée for being so stupid as to get engaged to a sociopath. I think she probably feels traumatized enough by having been close to such a person, thank you.