That&#x27;s not the best example to pick: people are still killed on accusations of witchcraft. [0,1] The Hollywood blacklists are still in living memory, and someone was fired in the US for being communist ~2001.[2]<p>I, personally, am something of a free speech absolutist, and believe it is important to protect even (nay, especially) loathsome speech. I am not aware of the what the happened in the incident described in the letter, so I am not willing to judge whether the original letter is an overreaction as tptacek claims, or not. Nevertheless I generally like to see arguments made accurately.<p>[0]: Papua New Guinea, 2013. <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;world.time.com&#x2F;2013&#x2F;06&#x2F;05&#x2F;despite-legal-moves-pngs-terrifying-witchcraft-killings-look-set-to-continue&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;world.time.com&#x2F;2013&#x2F;06&#x2F;05&#x2F;despite-legal-moves-pngs-te...</a><p>[1]: Tanzania, 2014. <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.bbc.com&#x2F;news&#x2F;world-africa-29572974" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.bbc.com&#x2F;news&#x2F;world-africa-29572974</a><p>[2]: <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.slate.com&#x2F;articles&#x2F;news_and_politics&#x2F;chatterbox&#x2F;2002&#x2F;07&#x2F;can_your_boss_fire_you_for_your_political_beliefs.html" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.slate.com&#x2F;articles&#x2F;news_and_politics&#x2F;chatterbox&#x2F;2...</a>