You are quite right. Discretion is often the better part of valor, which is why, I don't live in Africa or America anymore. I grew up in a police state. I know the signs.

I think, though, we're talking about slightly different things. If I was in Sudan right now, I would not go up to an armed man and explain to him why I thought he should lay down arms.

On the other hand, one should be allowed to voice educated opinion openly without letting the voices of groupthink frighten me. And, yes, it is a costly position. Many journalists and writers are now paying with their lives.

We have reached a terrible place, Jeff. If you think about it, much of liberal thought has resulted in a degradation of ethics, and ethics are the invisible pillars of a functioning society.