It called itself the most prestigious law school discussion board in the world.

I entered.

There were no ranks. No seals. No one to announce arrivals. Men spoke without faces and without consequence. They said things that would have ended bloodlines in my country. They insulted strangers by name. They laughed at what should not be laughed at. They spoke of women, of races, of the weak, of the strong, of the law itself, as though the words cost nothing.

I stood in the middle of it for a long time.

In Japan we also have places where men speak freely. But the freedom is measured. Even the drunkard at the end of the night still knows the weight of what leaves his mouth. Here the weight had been removed on purpose.

A man can say anything.

And the great bort does not blink.

I read one thread about post-divorce dating. By the tenth reply it had become something else entirely. The original purpose was forgotten. The conversation had become a contest of how far a man could go without anyone stopping him.

I thought of the old saying: the sword is only as dangerous as the hand that holds it.

Here the sword is left on the floor for anyone to pick up.

I do not know if this is bravery or the absence of it.

I closed the page.

Then I opened it again.

There is a strange honesty in a place that refuses to pretend.

The great bort does not claim to be kind.

It does not claim to be wise.

It only claims to be free.

I have seen free men before.

I have never seen freedom left this completely alone.

I will return tomorrow.

I want to understand what kind of warriors are forged in a place where no one ever has to look another man in the eye after speaking.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5890034&forum_id=2E#50048892)