Freedom of expression is underattack - but it's closer to home

ALL this freedom of speech and freedom of expression stuff we've been hearing about lately. I'm up for that.

You can never be sure about these things until you're really tested, but I'd like to think that I'd be prepared to go all the way with Voltaire when he said: "I detest your views, but am prepared to die for your right to express them."

I have written here and elsewhere that I don't equate the right to freedom of expression with the right to be offensive or stupid. And I've always believed it is perfectly legitimate to curtail the rights of people whose motive is to inflame hatred or bigotry, or to tell lies.