(Go: >> BACK << -|- >> HOME <<)

No such thing as ‘only’ a cartoon

By Hamish Keith In Cultural Curmudgeon

Print Share
We need to add to the list of great quotes famous people never said – like Captain Kirk’s “Beam me up, Scotty” and Rick Blaine’s “Play it again, Sam” – French philosopher Voltaire’s famous defence of free speech: “I disapprove of what you say, but would defend to the death your right to say it.” These words were put in his mouth by early American biographer Evelyn Beatrice Hall and have stuck ever since. Even she does not claim he used these words, only that he might have thought them. Whatever, the mantra is trotted out to excuse the meanest bigotry or racist slight. ...

Get full access to Listener.co.nz

Subscribers can read the full version of this story.

You can subscribe and get full online access for as little as $5 per week.

Enjoy the high-quality, in-depth journalism of the Listener magazine with convenient online access. This includes access to thousands of archived articles and up-to-date TV and entertainment listings.

Our great content is available online even before it hits the shelves, and includes more focus on breaking news. With our responsive design you get a great reader experience whether you read from your home computer, tablet, or even smartphone.

Already a subscriber? Just to read full version of this story.

Already an existing print subscriber? As part of your magazine subscription you are entitled to receive full access to the New Zealand Listener Online content. Click here for instructions on how to redeem your digital access.

Or you can subscribe now to get unlimited access to listener.co.nz.

More by Hamish Keith

Switch to our mobile site