Sam Newman at it again!

[DJC]

i find a lot (almost all in fact) of what Sam Newman says distasteful. But i want to live in a country where we debate opinions and even allow those who disagree with us to say their piece. Too many in society decry alternate opinions and people even lose their jobs if they publicly disagree... Sam Newman is a tosser, but i stick by it, he has every right to state his opinion, unless he crosses lines that are illegal.

Also i know people like to misquote, which is one of the reasons i gave up on forums.. but  will point out i never said Newman was Tough, Courageous or Brave, nor did i say he was a "martyr for free speech"... i claimed it is important he has the right to disagree even on divisive issues that swaths of society have arbitrarily already declared off limits.

And i would HATE if anyone booed, but i hate all booing.

There’s a big difference between stating an opinion and advocating an action that would be offensive to many Australians.

Newman has been irrelevant since the twilight of his playing career but some folk will be emboldened by his call to disrespect the welcome to country and, by extension, First Nations peoples.

Freedom of speech brings with it responsibilities and media outlets that provide a platform for the likes of Newman have a responsibility not to promote disharmony.