Freightdawg: ...the angrier I get when it appears that "freedom of speech" applies only to those who want to trash the government or any of its associated agents.

Wow.

Freedom of speech IS the freedom to say unpopular things.

Put simply, the government has the most power; freedom of speech is usually only needed when criticizing those in power. Doesn't everyone know that?

They couldn't do that without fear in Elizabethan England. They can't do that in Iraq. They can't do that in China.

How can freedom of speech possibly apply to people who support the people in power? You don't need freedom for that.

I don't agree with MichelR, but I know plenty of people who do agree with him. Quakers, Mennonites, "Peaceniks"...one is tempted to shout at them for not facing the realities of the world, but really...what's the point? Pacifism is a survival trait, albeit survival as a slave.