Yesterday, I mentioned that I'm a veteran of the United States Navy. I mentioned that I believe the bill of rights means exactly what it says.

Sometimes, I find those beliefs stretched nearly to the breaking point.

Someone on my friends list pointed out a racist on LJ today. I won't share his user name; I don't think it would accomplish anything useful.

I will say that I agree with nothing that he says, and that much of it had me rolling my eyes and wishing to disassociate myself from him completely; wishing I could erase even the tenuous bond between us formed by our common melatonin level.

But, you know, the thing is... Noam Chomski was right. The more vile and disagreeable the thing that someone says is, the more they need the protection of free speech.

Still... I wouldn't mind going upside the fellow's head with a clue-by-four.

Not that that would solve anything.