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Quotes of the Day for 16 May 2009 – Dissent
I regard it as self-evident that, in a democratic society, all positions are worthy of expression and that no person should be penalized for opinions held or expressed. From time to time, governments have found dissenting opinions to be inconvenient and legislation has been enacted punishing those who dare to disagree with the actions of the state. One such occasion was the passage of the Sedition Act of 1918, providing fines, punishment, and loss of government position for anyone opposing the US involvement in World War I. Further, any mail addressed to any person the Postmaster General felt was sending such Dissent would be returned.
The quotes:
It is necessary for the welfare of society that genius should be privileged to utter sedition, to blaspheme, to outrage good taste, to corrupt the youthful mind, and generally to scandalize one's uncles.
- George Bernard Shaw, 1856 - 1950
Acceptance of dissent is the fundamental requirement of a free society.
- Richard Royster Royall, 1798 - 1840
Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate.
- Hubert H. Humphrey, 1911 - 1978
No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.
- Barbara Ehrenreich
The dissenter is every human being at those moments of his life when he resigns momentarily from the herd and thinks for himself.
- Archibald MacLeish, 1892 - 1982
What counts alone is the innovator, the dissenter, the harbinger of things unheard of, the man who rejects the traditional standards and aims at substituting new values and ideas for old ones.
- Ludwig von Mises, 1881 - 1973
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