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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mark Chance" data-source="post: 1139869" data-attributes="member: 2795">To be put a fine point on things, you're wrong on both counts as well as right on both counts.Speaking about things as they are in the U.S. (which seems sensible since the U.S. is what I know), I have every right to protest the inclusion or exclusion of book X in a public library. Other likeminded people can join me if they so choose. Unlikeminded people can, if they so choose, start counter protests. Et cetera. These rights - of free speech and free association - are fundamental and cannot be rightfully denied.However, I do not have any legal or constitutional right to have my demands met. The powers-that-be can ignore my demands, comply with my demands, agree to some sort of compromise. Et cetera. IOW, let's say I don't like book X. I start a campaign to have book X removed from public libraries - including those libraries affiliated with public schools and public universities - in my city. I make TV appearances, schedule press conferences, stage a legally organized and licensed rally, gather signatures on petitions, yadda yadda yadda. Then, when all is said and done, the powers-that-be say, "Sorry, Mr. Chance. We're not removing book X from our shelves."When that happens, I cannot legitimately claim my rights have been violated because no one was obligated to agree with me to begin with.Likewise, suppose the powers-that-be say, "Fine, Mr. Chance. We will remove book X from our shelves." Those people who objected to my crusade also have no legitimate claim that their rights have been violated.This is how government by the people for the people is supposed to work. It is messy, noisy, and frequently quite ugly. It also, oftener than not, works quite well.</blockquote>

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