General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWe make a serious mistake if Breitartists, racists, Nazis, supremacists
are permitted to conflate free speech with their acts of intimidation and verbal assault. It is on par with money = speech and Citizen's United. It really also irks me that they are trying to flip language to project their actions and tactics as tools of the left.
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)So darn true and we just know,Bannon and friends will abuse the heck out of this.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)The free speech rights of those with whom we most virulently disagree are the most critical to protect.
KT2000
(20,601 posts)run amok. Money as free speech is a ridiculous of course but we do have to protect the verbal and written free speech until it does become assault or harassment.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Speech is protected- even hateful, bigoted speech. Thats simply a fact.
Direct threats are not protected. However, promoting a threatening, hateful ideology, even one carrying an implied threat, like a nazi flag, is protected speech.
But where the ACLU has drawn the line is crowds rallying with a clearly violent purpose- to wit, if you're bringing clubs and shields it has gone beyond "speech". And if you want someone to fund your legal defense when youre rallying with open carry AR-15s, ask the NRA, not the ACLU.