If not here, where? (Score 1)

Several comments posted express the opinion that this kind of debate does not belong on slashdot. If not here, where? I think this is the perfect forum for this kind of discussion. Dealing with speech that we find offensive or makes us uncomfortable is a skill, perhaps one that needs to be taught more effectively. As citizens of the United States, we are taught how to excercise our rights to free speech, but we are not taught how to deal with others who do. The proper response to speech we don't like is not to attack or condemn the individual, but the idea. In most cases I have encountered, if you take the time to understand why someone believes a certain thing, you will discover that it has at least a kernel of truth. It's just easier for lazy people to write off the idea altogether - and often the individual as well.