Free Speech is even (especially) for Offensive Speech

You have to stand up for offensive speech because that's always where the attempts to restrict free speech begin. Nobody objects to grandma posting about the church service this weekend at first. They object to the prickly jerk who says things that rightly ruffle feathers. They get agreement to go after him, to shut him down, and then they start to move the window. Eventually, grandma gets busted because her post about the church service is offensive to atheists or Muslims or whoever is willing to claim to be offended by it.

So this ex-cop is probably a jerk, and his speech acts are offensive. That's why we have to stand up for his rights.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is very difficult to convince the younger generation(s) that there is no such thing as “hate speech.” Just because you don’t like it doesn't mean a government should ban it. It’s like the “hate crime” multiplier: is the person any more or less dead because of the purported motive of the crime?

"Don’t like the words? Rebut them, ignore them, or bop the offender on the nose. Just don’t expect the government to step in,” should be our advice to the younger set. [Not that I endorse bopping people on the nose, but mouthing off can have consequences.]

LittleRed1

Grim said...

"To say it's illegal and fined is to say that it's legal for a price." That price might include time as well as money, of course; but simple assault isn't that big a deal where I come from.