Using rights foolishly--is there such a thing?

Great Debates
22

Wow! It’s gonna be hard work if you’re intending on exercising all of your rights all of the time. You have the right to free speech, therefore you MUST walk up to people in the street and insult them. You have the eight to wlak backwards, so you MUST do that at all times. You have the right to eat nothing but dog food, so it is important that you exercise this right. You have the right to wear womens’ clothing, and so should do so.

You have the right to give all your money to me. Thanks! I’ll look forward to it!

Seriously - having a right to do something doesn’t mean you should do it. And since you have an almost infinite suite of rights, you’re gonna tire yourself out pretty darn quick!

23

Well, that was a useful contribution.

By the way: BOO!

24

A lot of times people are so apt to prove a point they lose sight of the larger picture.

For instance, when Mr GW Bush was president, we used to have protests on Saturday. They were protesting the Iraq War. This is fine, and within their rights. But long story short, the way they did it 'caused traffic all along Milwaukee Avenue to get backed up. This resulted in shouting and honking and all it did was make people mad that they were distrupting traffic.

No one said “Gee they have a point, they said were saying ‘Get the heck out of the way’.” It was so annoying it made me like GW Bush and hate THEM.

Another example is using Hitler’s photo at the meeting with Barney Frank. I know you’re trying to make a point, but the USA is not now nor has it ever been a repressive regime. If you doubt that for a second, it shows you know nothing about Nazi Germany. And I’d suggest you start reading.

I’m sure there are people here reading my statement above and disagree, I can guarantee you they know nothing about the Nazis or what they do know is horribly incorrect.

When you use Hitler to make a point about an issue, and it is so out of place, not only do you come off as stupid and that lessens your credibility to make any other point, even if your other points are 100% on spot.

The best way to make a point and convince people over to your side, is

  1. State your position
  2. Allow the opposition to objec
  3. Refute the opponents arguments, one by one. And refute ALL of them

Using effective argument can be hard because so many people by into notions like “If he’ll lie about one thing, he’ll lie about anything.” Which is so wrong it’s laughable. Most people (but not all) have a sense of proportion which allows them to see the difference between lying about who murdered someone is very different than lying about who ate the last piece of cake.

But on the flip side, putting Hitler up got that lady much publicity.

I recall Oprah saying that she stopped doing shows about Nazis and KKK and such because all it does is give publicity to those groups and they benefit from it. And I think she had a point.

Everyone has a right to think what they want, but that doesn’t make their beliefs valid.

25

My thoughts agree most closely with this statement. Rights are also about reasonableness & responsibility. ‘In your face’ use of basic rights, is not productive. It causes people to make ridiculous claims like this:

Even militant bike riders as discussed in the thread below destroy years of good will and reason. The disruption can erode support built up over years, with only a few public tantrums.

26

To me, these aren’t mutually exclusive. It’s possible to exercise your rights to the full degree to which you are entitled, and even make waves on occasion, while still acting responsibly.

27

I’m not even a gun owner and I find that statement scary.

:rolleyes:

28

If you’re running a protest you have to think about issues like inconveniencing people and pissing them off - then again you probably need to inconvenience peopel to get there attention at all. But if this was your reaction, it sounds more like a failing on your part than a screwup by the people who were protesting. :wink: