Wrong, wrong, wrong, Musket. It is only when ideas, right or wrong, are exposed in the commons that they come under the scrutiny of average folks. Your philosophy shows a lack of trust, and a lack of respect, for the ability of average folks to discern whether something is good, bad, or somewhere in between. I have full faith that average folks are decent and intelligent people fully able to discern right from wrong. Ake has every right to espouse his opinion, as well as bear the consequences for them. If he was being derogatory towards a gay person, I would likely censure him. If he is expressing his opinion about the gay lifestyle, based on his beliefs, I would challenge those beliefs.

A couple of hundred years ago we had a little dustup with old flinty. One of the issues became our First Amendment in our Bill of Rights. It basically says that while I may disagree with your opinions, I will defend unto death your right to have them.