It's very different to defend one's beliefs vs. one's right to their beliefs. As Voltaire's biographer said, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
I do, particularly when expressed politely, and then I disagree politely. If they can express their beliefs, and I can express mine, then we can try to communicate the truth. But any widespread belief that gets suppressed will fester and spread underground.
And again, I am not defending the belief itself, but the expression thereof.
Maybe we're reading different comments, but I don't see his beliefs being defended as much as his right to have those beliefs. Can you tell the difference? If you can, don't play cancel culture and put words in other people's mouths. If you can't, slow down and think about it. You don't win White Knight points for demanding that positions be polarized and pretending that such childishness is a reasoned defense.
/thread
It’s sad that Eich’s beliefs are still being defended here.