"No more fatuous chimera has ever infested the brain than that you
can control opinions by law or direct belief by statute, and no more
pernicious sentiment ever tormented the heart than the barbarous desire
to do so. The field of inquiry should remain open, and the right of
debate must be regarded as a sacred right."
by:
William E. Borah
(1865-1940) U. S. Senator
Source:
1917
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Reader comments about this quote:
 -- Anonymous 
 -- Mike, Norwalk 
 -- Anonymous, Reston, VA US 
I honestly have never understood the desire to control another's ideas, beliefs, desires, or any direction the person would like to take. And yet, even in a 'free' America, there are hoards of men and women who with their freedom have make it their goal in life to impose their ideas, beliefs and desires upon me 'for my own good'. This hypocrisy destroys the honor of Americans. Hmm, it already sounds strange -- American, honor -- we rarely consider the two together -- that is unless someone is sending us to die in an imperial war. Talk about hypocrisy. And the only one who does not see it, is the American. The enemy is not out there -- it is us. When we are truly ready to extend freedom to others, then we will have regained our honor -- which is our best security.
 -- E Archer, NYC		 
I find the desire to control others beliefs and ideas very straightforward. Human beings, by nature, change and control their environment to their liking. Other human beings are simply viewed as a part of the environment, not other human beings. To change them one can either use force or persuasion. The use of force is the easy path, for it takes no intellectual effort.
 -- Ken, Allyn, WA		 
Confusion exists in the mind of anyone who cannot differentiate between freedom of thought or inquiry and freedom of action. You cannot do whatever you want to do, unless you are willing to pay the consequences for your misdeeds. Not any action you might like to carry out is acceptable. Get used to it.
 -- David L. Rosenthal		 
David: psycho-babble. Yes, to freedom of thought, and, no, to freedom of action? A typical totalitarian argument. I will never 'get used to it' -- nor stand for such collusion with a tyrannical system.

Ken: It may be your goal to control others beliefs and ideas, but what is it based on -- your superior knowledge of what we 'should' be doing? Why not inspire others to reason and search for truth, not external control and personal beliefs treated as facts. 'Share' your beliefs, and let others decide for themselves without 'control'.
 -- E Archer, NYC

 
 -- Joe, Rochester, MI 
Excellent Archer - indeed! it reminds me of the Baker who was fined by the judge because the baker wanted to prosecute a young boy for stealing a loaf of bread. The judge said next time the fine will be double. It was Buddha who said 'You may listen to what I say and only take in what you wish' It was the Vedic religion (first recorded) who were first to say 'Treat others as you wish to be treated' -- nor stand for such collusion with a tyrannical system - well done whoever said that.
 -- RobertSRQ		 
I agree that the field of inquiry should remain open , unless you happen to believe that global warming is a hoax. Al Gore , that famous expert on climate has said that not believing that we are responsible for global warming is the same as believing that the holocaust never happened. Saint Al is not interested in any sort of debate on this issue. He has come down from the mountain with the commandments and that is that. Believe,sinners are else.
 -- jim k, austin,tx		 
Some good attempts have been made however as in Nazism and Stalinism, and Saddamism among others. Al Gore is always right because he had an open mind, studied and was known to come to the Senate floor the most prepared and educated on any issue. He has performed an admiral public service by putting the knowledge of global warming in front of the people of the world. He has not stopped debate he has won debate as industry and responsible people have followed his leadership. Archer if you are looking for an connection American and Honor then look to Al Gore.
 -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas		 
The Goreacle is an eco-evangelist bent on a one world government. And he's nothing more than a dog and pony show. The "fact" is that the earth is cooling. But no one is doing any dramatic footage of natural events (and make millions from it) because the truth is actually kind of boring. And the Nobel folks finally brought the prestige of their award down to the level of a paper weight, awarding it to Gore. Good Lord the stuff people will believe if its in technicolor or on CNN is astounding. (Oh and by the way, we have more Polar Bears than ever up here) lol :)
 -- J Carlton, Calgary		 
Waffler. you've been on that mountain again, where the air is thin. If there is any such thing as global warming, it's because of all the hot air that blow hards like Al Gore spew out daily. Global Warming is a hoax that screwballs like Al have started in order to control people , and get taxes increased. The earth is now cooling but but you'll never hear this from the Sierra Club or any other radical kook group.
 -- jim k, austin, tx		 
This is not a debate J and Jim. It is science. We live in a world of authorities and knowledge and a hierarchy of people who know stuff you know like Universities, Scientific Academies etcetera. This community of knowledgeable people all say it is so. This ain't politics it is science. Why do you contradict all of this stuff. Hell even Bush (you know the most unpopular President in the modern world) has come on board even though a little bit late. Politics has interferred with science many times in world history and politics usually wins. For example the Pope won when Copernicus and Gallileo said the earth goes around the sun. He kicked them out of the church. Five hundred years later the chruch apologized for being stupid and political. YOU GUYS ARE BEING STUPID AND POLITCAL. Don't be stupid and political just because you don't like Saint Al. He has done a great service to the world.
 -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas		 
Al Gore is a Nazi. Wake up! What do you think he is doing? Propaganda is for mind control. Once you believe the lie you are his tool. He is getting rich off of his hoax. There is no science only politics. George Bush has always been on board on this crap. He lives green at his ranch. All Gore does not. He campaigned in 2000 talking about ending Global Warming. This propaganda will be used to end this country and give us over to a global controlled authority if this crap is not stopped. That is what Global Warming is all about. One World Government. Not science. No one can possibly know what the so called scientists claim to know. That is why people can be fooled until they realize that the scientist don't know either. I have been around a very long time and have seen this kind of crap out of scientist all my life. For 35 years I have been saying that the only thing you can be sure of in science is that a scientist is almost always wrong. Did you know that many of the scientists that had their name published on the list of supporters of this hoax were shocked that they were on it. Those that did not have to worry about loosing their jobs sued the jackasses that put them on the list to get back off of it. They did not want to be thought of as imbeciles. Global Warming is exactly the kind of thing this quote is about.
 -- warren, olathe		 
 
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