Recent events here and abroad have amply demonstrated that the Western libertarian idea of individual free speech is a many splendoured thing. Public debate has been full of sweet reason, bitter division and outrageous and outraged dissent. The temper and tone of democratic debate has ranged from the well-mannered, polite and robust to vulgar abuse, invective, hatred, contempt, humiliation, and ridicule according to the standards of the undifferentiated mass of ordinary individuals.
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