>>>I started a thread with the title 'About those who allow Hitlerized Obama pictures'. Here, in this thread, my first reaction was about a part of the title that Kevin, the originator, gave it. Herr Barack Hussein Obama. That title is disgusting. Now tell me, do you want to grant Kevin the right to use such words, on behalf of freedom of speech, and do you deny me the right to state that it is disgusting?
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>>But, Peter, you're missing the point. Kevin has the right to use such words (and neither Tracy nor I can _grant_ him that right, it's a basic right) and you have the right to object. That's how free speech works.
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>>Tamar
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>(Why did you leave out my other words? It is now somewhat out of context.)
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>Another thought: What is the use of objecting if it is always obstructed with the call for freedom of speech? The ultimate consequence is that it is apparently useless to object and that it is better to keep the mouth totally shut. Was that the ultimate goal of those who fought for freedom of speech?
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>Think of it, is it really a matter of freedom of speech here? Can Kevin call me Herr Peter de Valença, anytime he likes? I might feel offended. If Obama was on this forum, he might feel offended and file a complaint. But Obama isn't here. Does that imply that people here can say about Obama anything they want? I think not.

Yes, Kevin can call you that (unless Michel decides that it's a violation of the ToS). You can object, but there's no right not to be offended. And, of course, others who find it offensive, can say so, and can alter their behavior toward Kevin accordingly.

FWIW, despite being a descendant of Holocaust victims, I think Germany's laws on the subject are wrong. Speech other than actual incitement to violence shouldn't be prohibited. The way we fight bad ideas is by airing them so that their fallacies can be seen. A quick look-up shows that it was Supreme Court Justice Lewis Dembitz Brandeis who said "sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants." He knew what he was talking about.

Tamar