To the editor:

“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it,” is a paraphrase of a Voltaire writing. It sums up what the First Amendment of the United States Constitution is about (the very FIRST one) and one of the bedrock principles that makes our country so great. Freedom of speech, expression, religion. Even freedom of the press.

With that freedom comes responsibility. Limits to free speech have been drawn by the courts, usually at the point where one’s exercise of free speech physically harms or endangers others. Shouting “Fire!” in a crowded movie theater is the most often cited example.

But simply offending someone does not qualify as a valid reason to limit free speech. In this society, you’re free to respond to things you disagree with – not try to ban them.

It is very disappointing to see our local newspaper (and the mayor of an Adirondack village) take an editorial position that, in essence, argues against free speech and expression. You may not agree with what someone says or expresses (in this case, I don’t), but you of all people should understand the importance of their right to say or express it.

It is so easy to get into politically correct “groupthink” on social hot-button issues. Please don’t let this diminish your newspaper as a venue for people to exercise their First Amendment rights. It’s the most important one we have.

Sincerely,

Joseph Moore

Lake Placid

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(Editor’s note: For those who didn’t read or remember the Enterprise’s Aug. 24 editorial, titled “Playing with fire,” it expressed the opinion that flying the Confederate flag in public is reckless and offensive, but did not call for it to be legally banned.)