Saying something "unpopular"

Yes, freedom of speech MUST mean the freedom to offend, or the freedom to say something unpopular with the majority. I believe that more and more. If not, we cannot be considered a democracy, because in order to make a good, deliberate decision, we must hear all the viewpoints. That's the whole point of democracy! Sure, it's probably much easier to run a facist state - what the leader says goes, or else. The same is true of a theocracy - do what the religious leader tells you that God says, or else.

Democracy is hard because, first, we must allow all the voices to be heard and, second, we must not only make a decision by majority vote but also keep the minority protected. It IS difficult and it SHOULD take a long time. Squelching disagreement is NOT HEALTHY.
Thank you, Andrew Sullivan, for reminding us of this quote:

"If liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear." - George Orwell