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Replace "ridiculing" with "criticizing" in your third sentence. The statement is also equally true - criticism of a world leader from within their own country certainly doesn't add strength to the public perception of a nation.

But do you see how dangerous that would be to make illegal, and how it applies to "ridiculing" as well?

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Criticism has room for discussion. Criticism can be destructive and constructive. Ridiculing is never constructive. What does ridiculing yield? What benefit does ridiculing have?

You say that criticism can be destructive and constructive, which is true. Ridicule, defined as "[applying] contemptuous and dismissive language or behavior" can swiftly and temptingly become "deconstructive criticism". Or, "criticism that I find humiliating because I don't like it".

Does most ridiculing, aside from satire, have a benefit? Probably not. But it would be a mistake to make any speech without benefit illegal, especially since it is just so easy for anyone in power to conveniently select people for jailtime when legislation uses such broad words as "ridicule".

What's your point? Not only is ridicule non-beneficial, it's destructive. Which is why I wouldn't blame any system that chooses to punish it.

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