Ronald Dworkin Quote

"'Balanced' is a code for 'denied':
a right to free speech that must be 'balanced'
against so exhaustive a list of other supposed
values means a right that can be exercised
only when those in power judge that the
speech in question is innocuous to them."

by:	Ronald Dworkin (1931- 2013) Jewish-American] philosopher, professor, scholar of United States constitutional law and jurisprudence
Source:	Index on Censorship, March 1997
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Categories:	Censorship, Dissent, Freedom, Power, Speech
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An unbalanced point of view.  -- David L Rosenthal      3
Perhaps this is a part of what FOX means by "fair & balanced" (which they are neither).  -- Anonymous, Reston, VA US      2 5
To deny any speech in favor of "balance" obviously "denies" someone's right to free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment. It is a liberal-socialist attack on our rights to propose "balanced" free speech.  -- Joe, Rochester, MI      5
Correct sentiment. Balanced is a way of expressing oneself that usually results in expressing a neutral POV with no inherent moral choice. And as for "those in power"...knwoing who they are in the world today, I would hardly want my opinions censored by their views of mine.  -- EGL, LA      3
-- Dick, Fort Worth
"Balanced" is the self-appointed elite's attempt to control the voice of the majority.  -- Ken, Allyn, WA      5
It is a fallacy that the world is divided equally into good and evil and that both need a fair hearing all the time. However, it is the publisher who always should have the right to chose the stories he/she wishes to tell. If we don't like it, we don't have to agree or even to listen. The best remedy for 'bad speech' is 'good speech.'  -- E Archer, NYC      6
-- jim k, Austin
In context with examples, the quote's message is very accurate. Balance, here being those in power's supposed judged or decided equipoise between contrasting, opposing or interacting weights, forces or influences. If one side of the scale is supposed harmful or altering in any way to the other (such as a pH 0 on one side and a pH 14 on the other / communism on one side and fascism on the other), the prevailing power will lock the equilibrium beam in place, eliminate the unwanted side and point to the level / horizontal beam to garner self praise of a safe and fair balance. The occupying statist theocracy infesting this land (along with its forth branch of ecclesiastical propagators - MSM; and, the theocratic seminaries - government schools) fain claim(s) a balance when its/their despotic, tyrannical and otherwise demonic dogma, ideology and canons are locked in.  -- Mike, Norwalk      4
The "moral reading" of the U.S.Constitution. Liberty and Freedom are of equal weight till somebody redefines liberty and pulls the wool from off her eyes. To square ones life, and to walk circumspectly provides nondenominational balance of a sovereign patriot. The square and compass are a part of the Just Balance, the four rules of judgement provided by the square well measured. As the symbol illustrates, The heavens above do rule, the circumspect "sovereign" walk of mankind in relation to his/her neighbor. As far as the "eye" is concerned, it is the eye and tip of the needle with which truth is woven when the mechanics are revealed. The "eye" is fluid and reveals many patterns of stitching, one can behold the "baler of knowledge" hence the the term " hay baler" and the bundling of food for thought. Semper fI, said the old sailor, come home to farm.  -- Ronw13, Oregon      1
-- jim k, austin

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