‘We are activists, hear us roar’
At our recent event, with our greatest admiration and passion, we extolled freedom and individual rights. With our greatest hatred and intolerance, we condemned religious dogma, the response to free speech with violence, and tyranny – offense and irrational sensitivities be damned.
We are unabashed to proclaim that we have an agenda. Of course we are biased (toward truth) – and so was the event. We have an opinion, and our purpose was to present it proudly – and the more media attention we could garner for such an important issue, the better.
Our purpose was not to establish a dialogue, understand the other side better, or any such ridiculous notion. We already understand the other side, and our overarching goal was not to discuss, but to assert the correctness of our view. There cannot be rational discourse with those who renounce reason.
That our event took the form of a panel discussion (including the only Muslim we could find with the courage to accept our invitation) is only a matter of how best we thought the correct arguments could be brought out and articulated.
Do not denounce hate as such – one ought to hate that which is evil. Do not denounce bias as such – one ought to think, to judge, to have an opinion, and then stand by it.
Arthur Lechtholz-Zey
Chief executive officer, L.O.G.I.C.