I'm (the "snarky" comment) a man of the left who has been appalled by the use of free speech suppression tactics over the last few years by my supposed political fellow travellers to intimidate those on the right, and like many others have persistently and continuously challenged them in defence of those I sometimes disagree fundamentally with.
So yes, they are principles deeply held and I'm not about to take any implications (intended or not) from your original comment they are not.
