The Need for Free Speech

It's really important that all should be free
To comment in public on all that they see,
With just the proviso their words don't incite
Others to violence; it should be their right
To say what they think, although some of their views
On morals or ethics or much current news
Might possibly seem to some people to tend
To cause them annoyance or maybe offend.
But those who object should remember that they
In some other country or some other day
Might find that their views were regarded the same,
A source of revulsion or hatred or shame.
For what is acceptable changes through time,
As yesterday's truth is today made a crime.
So all should be free to proclaim what they think,
For once there appears in the law a small chink
Which makes people stop and not say what is true,
Then fear of the outcome will quickly accrue,
And there will be much that no-one will dare say,
But the thoughts in their hearts will not thus go away.