>Hi Bob,
>
>>I wonder too where the concept of Freedom of Speech comes into this. Though the rest of the world doesn't pay it much respect, it does, I thought, have some importance in the USA.
>
>How do you mean this?
>
>Christof

Canada, in particular, doesn't give free speech nearly the respect that Americans say they give it. I also don't know of any country (not that I am really well informed) that gives freedom of speech such importance. The issue seems to come up with Americans all the time. They seem very careful that people don't tread on their right to free speech. Under the same circumstances, I don't hear about free speech as much in Canada, and not so often in the rest of world either.