If there was only a 'preview' button...

Which is also nonsense, as I've argued countless times. From what I can tell, the only people who believe it have no other skills and are terrified that if the truth were known (that anyone can learn to program) then they'd no longer be special.

I've said this before. Having taught many programming classes myself, I've never once encountered one of these mysterious "can't" students.

It's possible that you're just not a very good instructor.

I tuned the radio to the local top-40 station. It would appear that the worst musicians do indeed make money.

A variation of it is quite prominent on Slashdot, with many users inexplicably believing that programming requires a "special mind", dividing people in to two groups: "can program" and "can never program".

Picture this: You're in a bar, and some guy walks up to you looking for trouble. He insults you, belittles you, calls your mother a whore, etc. He just won't let up. You ask him to stop, but he keeps digging at you. You, understandably, punch him in the face.

His claim: You're the bad guy. He was just wants to exercise his right to free speech.

Would you buy that argument?

Well, it was common knowledge.

Kids these days...

Do you hate any other people group? Turks? Black people? Jews?

It's pretty obvious to all but the hopelessly deluded that this event had absolutely nothing to do with free speech. Not even those offering that justification actually believe it.

This wasn't an "open forum that may offend some people". It was an event specifically intended to belittle a minority group and to provoke violent action.

The organizers of the event couldn't be happier. To them, this is the best possible outcome. Two dead Muslims and "proof" that "they're nothing but violent sociopaths".

Let's not play pretend that this has anything to do with free speech. To say that it is, is simply dishonest. To actually believe it is completely delusional. It's a problem in either case.

Legally? No. To my knowledge, they did nothing illegal.

Ethically? That's a whole different story...

It wouldn't make much progress if that were the case!

Science, by necessity, does not deal in truth. It wouldn't work if it did.

You have a very odd understanding of science.

If you're okay with that, so be it. I'd rather not associate, or be associated, with hate-groups

So, why not just join the club? Become a Klansman, skinhead, or whatever they call members of that particular anti-Islamic group? If you're okay with hatred, bigotry, and oppression, why not be more open about it?

Is it because you know that they're in the wrong but still can't bring yourself to let go of your insecurities? Is it that you don't want to be bigot living in fear, but can't bring yourself to accept Muslims as regular people?

Or is it something else? You think it's great to spread hatred and fear and to oppress others, but don't want other people to know that you're bigot?

So ... should I tremble in fear of the local Mosque or should I take the offensive and destroy them before they suddenly turn?

No, as a traitor and coward, I'll just live peacefully with them side-by-side like we have for years. I'll treat them honestly and fairly, like they treat me, and (in my ignorance) give no regard to the looming threat the present.

I can't reason with bigots. Enjoy your paranoid delusions.

It's safe to assume that you don't.