Censorship, legally or socially imposed, distorts the greater context of discussion

I am not a supporter of any presidential candidate, and certainly not of Mr Trump. However I support his prerogative and right, as well of others, to speak regardless the ignorance, offense and lunacy expressed or perceived as such. It is by this tolerance of speech of what is agreeable or disagreeable, even what is sensitive or insensitive, that we can best know the true character of an individual pubic or private, thereby make informed choices. Censorship, legally or socially imposed, distorts the greater context of political/electoral discussion or debate, or confines the broader gathering of general information.

As a personal example and of late, I am often advised to "be quiet" (to put it quite politely) by Republican neo-conservatives when I critique government's political/military interventions beyond US borders. Likewise and equally, I am told the same admonition by Democrat neo-liberals when I critique government's economic/social interventions within US borders. Many interventionists of either sort of course will share the same issue and posture thus retaliatory often abusive retort to mine or anyone else's suggestion of government doing less or nothing, compared to their usual but empirically-failed argument "government must do something (or more)". Yet, the issue here is not the clash of opinions on interventionism, but that one must "shut up" if so told by most, many, some, few or even one.

My point is this. This country have made the long, subtle and dangerously never-ending transition from the right to speak regardless the opinion, topic or mode of expression, to the right to hear only opinions, topics or modes of expression compatible to one's preference or sensitivity. While courtesy and sensitivity may encourage certain choices for conversation, law or violence should not. Educate, repudiate even, but do not dictate by forceful threat legally or illegally, else the ignorance expressed by some today will be superseded by ignorance pressed upon us all tomorrow.

Come let us Reason. Peace is always a Choice.