Yoon Contradicts Self on Speech

I am writing in response to Tehshik P. Yoon's commentary supporting free speech ("A Dangerous Form of Tolerance," opinion, May 18, 1994).

Yoon's editorial is marred by a disturbing self-contradiction. His main thesis is that we should engage repulsive points of view "through interaction and discourse." Yoon says he has "faith in rational argumentation."

Yet Yoon concludes by saying that "We may not be able to shut [skinheads] up, but we can certainly outnumber and outshout them." So much for interaction and discourse. And since when did rational argument ever entail outnumbering and shouting down your opponents? Larry K. Fan '94