‘Write a check to Darren Wilson’: Supporters of Ferguson cop hawk St. Louis playoff tees

[branford]

62. I'm used to it.

I'm a firm believer in free speech, even that of my adversaries. It is a classic liberal value. Regardless of the issue or news story, whenever I note that even Republicans, racists, or worse, also have free speech, even very offensive speech, it's often met with skepticism, scorn or hostility. I just wish that many would realize that the same laws that protect those we abhor also protect us. There have been many attempts to silence liberal voices, and we prevailed due to this jurisprudence, both historically and today.

I also fervently believe that the best path to changing hearts and minds is through legal and peaceful channels, and without alienating those whose minds we seek to change or whose support is necessary to achieve our goals. Violence, destruction, rampant criminality and unrealistic demands like an effective baseball strike, are counterproductive and alienate far too many potential supporters.