Free speech is something we must stand behind even when it sounds disgusting, vile and makes us angry. The only answer to speech we disagree with is more speech. The wide and loud protests supporting Palestine is not anything that is troubling IMO, but what is strange is the silence and lack of counter protests from the Jewish population and its allies. Perhaps I'm missing something but why aren't Jewish leaders leading protests and calling for supporters of the Jewish state to join them publicly?
As far as universities go......true liberalism was lost in the academies decades ago. They're simply overpriced indoctrination clinics which, if there's any justice in the world, will collapse in on themselves, hopefully sooner rather than later.
I'll also add that if the justice department is going to prosecute J6 supporters (not ones that actually vandalized the capital) for simply being inside the capital building or on capital grounds to protest, then they certainly must go after the pro Palestinian protesters that took over the capital building yesterday. Otherwise how can one not see a double standard of justice by the government?
Finally, Bidens middle east visit has been a complete embarrassment. My god, the man can't stay awake or cobble together a coherent sentence. All the while Anthony Blinken is peering around every corner ready to step in and pull Biden out of coming off like a complete fool to the entire world. At this point, I honestly don't see how anyone can stand behind re-electing this man. God help us all.
Rather than a discussion of Free speech, I think the discussion should focus on specific groups' power over others. We give people on the left way too much deference and power. Because you are a self-professed black leader, whatever stupidity comes from your mouth is treated as gospel. On the Stupidity scale, there is little difference between Margorie Taylor Greene and Cori Bush, Talib, Pressley, Omar, and AOC. But the mainstream media treat them in the same light as Civil rights icons, but where Greene is a great threat to Democracy.
The race hustlers like Kendi, Blm leaders ( Patrice Cullors), and 1619 project author Nicole Hannah-Jones are all given high perches to preach to us all. I hope this war will shine a light on these groups and those promoting them.
So, letting them speak and seeing who they are will help, but the destruction of their ability to shape society's values and morality must be won. We should let them speak but follow up with the question, why do we give them so much authority? No, I am not a racist or hate people of color because I think their ideas are an abomination. This war allows defeating them in the battle of ideas and gives those who love freedom, justice, and equality a chance to replace them on the high ground.
Free speech YES, but also consequences. Those expressing vile and hateful speech must not be allowed to remain anonymous. Employers should know who they are hiring.
Free Speech is different than condemnation of Free Speech. The antisemitic marchers can have their free speech rights. (Although I’m SURE Harvard would shut down an antisemitic campus Klan rally in 2 seconds). But these protests everywhere should be roundly and publicly condemned for disgusting celebration of human butchery.
Even Antisemites deserve free speech. Of course. In America that comports with our bedrock, First Amendment value. But it doesn’t mean that your speech is immune from consequences. Say whatever you want, just be prepared to accept how others might react.
An unjust war is when someone starts the war, a just war is when those who are attacked defend themselves and seek to eliminate those who attacked them.
I dislike the notion of proportionality in war as being "just". Doesn't it just prolong hostilities and cause generational warfare? In my opinion, if war is declared, it should be pursued with overwhelming force with the goal of rapid and total defeat of the enemy.... the General Schwarzkopff way.
The US is a country of immigrants. But I cannot recall any other immigrant group brazenly and aggressively demanding the destruction of another minority (Jews) that has lived in the US peacefully, productively and loyally for centuries. Hamas plainly called for a day of “mobilization” against Jews wherever they are. So this is not just about Jews in Israel (which is horrendous enough).
It’s especially mind boggling since these recently arrived Muslim-Americans supposedly were fleeing persecution and brutal dictatorships. Instead of appreciating the incredible opportunities and (clearly) easy access to elite universities for their children, they demand that we all bend a knee to barbarian and primitive practices. They bring strife and fear to our public life. And I’m grateful that Free Speech is bringing this all to light.
Jews have been the canary in the mine historically. Who is the next targeted group? Perhaps we ought to believe what Hamas, their chosen leader, is actually saying. And plainly stating in their charter.
While I agree with most of what the writers have to say on this topic, I would ask the readers to do the following: in the “death to JEWS” chant heard at UPenn, instead substitute the name of any other minority or marginalized community. Then let me know if you don’t believe that it constitutes a call to violence for a specific group of people. There is a persistent double standard in this country when it comes to Jews, where we are expected to prove more, endure more to enjoy equal protections.
Free speech is ok for anti-semites, but it's not ok for the American public (and elected officials) to question the 2020 Presidential election vote? SMH
What makes a just war? How about history to justify exterminating Hamas? Consider this: Jerusalem – Hajj Amin Al-Husseini – met with Adolf Hitler to discuss bringing the Final Solution to the British Mandate of Palestine. ---- Now what could that have been? Exterminating the Jews! So, since the WW II era, the goal of the Palestinians has been to kill the Jews and join with others worldwide to eliminate the Jews.
So now we have the very long history of the Palestinians wanting and working to kills the Jews. So, justifiably, the Jewish population has a right to go and rid themselves of the radical Palestinians once and for all. Israel and the Jewish diaspora has been dealing with the crazy Jewish haters for all of history. At some point, people need to understand that if your family has been slated for elimination through generations, there is a point where you go, What the Hell. Take them all out so we can be left alone.
Free Speech is one thing. Unfortunately, when it is hysterical and rabid, it eventually becomes violent. So do you eliminate Free Speech. "Absolutely not"! Do you say advocating for killing old people, women, and children is fine, absolutely not. There is a fine line between free speech and condoning the slaughter of people just living their lives.
We can discuss the values and use of free speech all day. Yet we ignore the most basic of rights. The freedom of religion! The bottom line is that the mass killings of people everywhere must be stopped and never allowed to be accepted based on speech. Religion is one of the most used reasons for mass killings. Shia versus Sunni, remember that one? Used by Hamas, Hezbo, ISIS, Boko Haram, Janjaweed, and others. The Muslims worldwide are estimated to be 40% illiterate, making them unable to actually read the Koran. Perfect targets for radicals and add in your rewards in heaven for killing babies.
Here is free speech. The world has not moved on from the radicals in every way, shape, and form around the world. Until we as people reject and never support mass killings and move to punish those who conduct it, we are not worth calling civilized. Only idiots, lemmings, and those truly so without a soul can condone, protest, and be happy for genocide.
If anyone ever tells you that you and your family do not need a gun and that a civilized society doesn’t need weapons of war- punch them in the face or at least run the other way right into a gun store and legally purchase yourself protection from people that hate you, us, Israelis, Americans. These stories make me cry- thank you Bari for letting us in to horror straight from hell. It is real.
I agree that even contemptible people get free speech as long as it isn't incitement to violence. So, while the grinning Cornell professor who found the Hamas attack exhilarating is someone I would cheerfully throw into Cascadilla Gorge if I could get away with it, I don't want the Cornell administration to punish him. What I do want is for it to condemn him strongly, not with a tepid statement that his views are contrary to Cornell's values. If students parade around yelling that Jewish Israelis are colonist settlers, I don't want them punished, but I want Martha Pollack, if she is going to make a statement, to put the words Hamas and terrorist in on sentence (she did, ultimately) AND to refute the antisemitic canards. The same would go for the other university presidents, who all seem to use the same PR firm with their wordy statements that try to please all the people while remaining morally opaque.
I’m all for literally and equally free speech. We haven’t seen that in a long time. If Jews, other Israelis, or Trump say something, most media distort it to fit an evil story they have in mind. If arabs say or do something, the very same media surround it with an aura best described as heroic. All sides are given what is loosely and recklessly called “free speech,” but it plainly is not.
When the savages’ apologists—the ones referring to terrorists as “gunmen”—can be interviewed personally, when defenders of logic and reason are given the same seats at the table as the floridly evil, that’s when we will have truly Free Speech. And not until.
I have been struggling with this all week...when does 'free speech' become 'hate speech' become 'hate crimes' and then 'criminal acts'? This spectrum is way too fuzzy for my comfort. When depressed people SAY they are considering suicide, isn't that sometimes the step right before they actually do take their life and when we were supposed to have taken them seriously? Are hateful words towards individuals and groups precursors/prequels to future criminal thoughts and actions? And how does one decide that someone is actually going to do what they say? Words matter.
Free Speech in a Time of War
Free speech is something we must stand behind even when it sounds disgusting, vile and makes us angry. The only answer to speech we disagree with is more speech. The wide and loud protests supporting Palestine is not anything that is troubling IMO, but what is strange is the silence and lack of counter protests from the Jewish population and its allies. Perhaps I'm missing something but why aren't Jewish leaders leading protests and calling for supporters of the Jewish state to join them publicly?
As far as universities go......true liberalism was lost in the academies decades ago. They're simply overpriced indoctrination clinics which, if there's any justice in the world, will collapse in on themselves, hopefully sooner rather than later.
I'll also add that if the justice department is going to prosecute J6 supporters (not ones that actually vandalized the capital) for simply being inside the capital building or on capital grounds to protest, then they certainly must go after the pro Palestinian protesters that took over the capital building yesterday. Otherwise how can one not see a double standard of justice by the government?
Finally, Bidens middle east visit has been a complete embarrassment. My god, the man can't stay awake or cobble together a coherent sentence. All the while Anthony Blinken is peering around every corner ready to step in and pull Biden out of coming off like a complete fool to the entire world. At this point, I honestly don't see how anyone can stand behind re-electing this man. God help us all.
Rather than a discussion of Free speech, I think the discussion should focus on specific groups' power over others. We give people on the left way too much deference and power. Because you are a self-professed black leader, whatever stupidity comes from your mouth is treated as gospel. On the Stupidity scale, there is little difference between Margorie Taylor Greene and Cori Bush, Talib, Pressley, Omar, and AOC. But the mainstream media treat them in the same light as Civil rights icons, but where Greene is a great threat to Democracy.
The race hustlers like Kendi, Blm leaders ( Patrice Cullors), and 1619 project author Nicole Hannah-Jones are all given high perches to preach to us all. I hope this war will shine a light on these groups and those promoting them.
So, letting them speak and seeing who they are will help, but the destruction of their ability to shape society's values and morality must be won. We should let them speak but follow up with the question, why do we give them so much authority? No, I am not a racist or hate people of color because I think their ideas are an abomination. This war allows defeating them in the battle of ideas and gives those who love freedom, justice, and equality a chance to replace them on the high ground.
I’m all for these people telling the rest of us who they are and what they support.
I wish the uncut footage were broadcast on CNN so everyone who watches knows precisely what and who they support.
Free speech YES, but also consequences. Those expressing vile and hateful speech must not be allowed to remain anonymous. Employers should know who they are hiring.
Free Speech is different than condemnation of Free Speech. The antisemitic marchers can have their free speech rights. (Although I’m SURE Harvard would shut down an antisemitic campus Klan rally in 2 seconds). But these protests everywhere should be roundly and publicly condemned for disgusting celebration of human butchery.
Even Antisemites deserve free speech. Of course. In America that comports with our bedrock, First Amendment value. But it doesn’t mean that your speech is immune from consequences. Say whatever you want, just be prepared to accept how others might react.
An unjust war is when someone starts the war, a just war is when those who are attacked defend themselves and seek to eliminate those who attacked them.
I dislike the notion of proportionality in war as being "just". Doesn't it just prolong hostilities and cause generational warfare? In my opinion, if war is declared, it should be pursued with overwhelming force with the goal of rapid and total defeat of the enemy.... the General Schwarzkopff way.
The US is a country of immigrants. But I cannot recall any other immigrant group brazenly and aggressively demanding the destruction of another minority (Jews) that has lived in the US peacefully, productively and loyally for centuries. Hamas plainly called for a day of “mobilization” against Jews wherever they are. So this is not just about Jews in Israel (which is horrendous enough).
It’s especially mind boggling since these recently arrived Muslim-Americans supposedly were fleeing persecution and brutal dictatorships. Instead of appreciating the incredible opportunities and (clearly) easy access to elite universities for their children, they demand that we all bend a knee to barbarian and primitive practices. They bring strife and fear to our public life. And I’m grateful that Free Speech is bringing this all to light.
Jews have been the canary in the mine historically. Who is the next targeted group? Perhaps we ought to believe what Hamas, their chosen leader, is actually saying. And plainly stating in their charter.
While I agree with most of what the writers have to say on this topic, I would ask the readers to do the following: in the “death to JEWS” chant heard at UPenn, instead substitute the name of any other minority or marginalized community. Then let me know if you don’t believe that it constitutes a call to violence for a specific group of people. There is a persistent double standard in this country when it comes to Jews, where we are expected to prove more, endure more to enjoy equal protections.
Free speech is ok for anti-semites, but it's not ok for the American public (and elected officials) to question the 2020 Presidential election vote? SMH
What makes a just war? How about history to justify exterminating Hamas? Consider this: Jerusalem – Hajj Amin Al-Husseini – met with Adolf Hitler to discuss bringing the Final Solution to the British Mandate of Palestine. ---- Now what could that have been? Exterminating the Jews! So, since the WW II era, the goal of the Palestinians has been to kill the Jews and join with others worldwide to eliminate the Jews.
So now we have the very long history of the Palestinians wanting and working to kills the Jews. So, justifiably, the Jewish population has a right to go and rid themselves of the radical Palestinians once and for all. Israel and the Jewish diaspora has been dealing with the crazy Jewish haters for all of history. At some point, people need to understand that if your family has been slated for elimination through generations, there is a point where you go, What the Hell. Take them all out so we can be left alone.
Free Speech is one thing. Unfortunately, when it is hysterical and rabid, it eventually becomes violent. So do you eliminate Free Speech. "Absolutely not"! Do you say advocating for killing old people, women, and children is fine, absolutely not. There is a fine line between free speech and condoning the slaughter of people just living their lives.
We can discuss the values and use of free speech all day. Yet we ignore the most basic of rights. The freedom of religion! The bottom line is that the mass killings of people everywhere must be stopped and never allowed to be accepted based on speech. Religion is one of the most used reasons for mass killings. Shia versus Sunni, remember that one? Used by Hamas, Hezbo, ISIS, Boko Haram, Janjaweed, and others. The Muslims worldwide are estimated to be 40% illiterate, making them unable to actually read the Koran. Perfect targets for radicals and add in your rewards in heaven for killing babies.
Here is free speech. The world has not moved on from the radicals in every way, shape, and form around the world. Until we as people reject and never support mass killings and move to punish those who conduct it, we are not worth calling civilized. Only idiots, lemmings, and those truly so without a soul can condone, protest, and be happy for genocide.
If anyone ever tells you that you and your family do not need a gun and that a civilized society doesn’t need weapons of war- punch them in the face or at least run the other way right into a gun store and legally purchase yourself protection from people that hate you, us, Israelis, Americans. These stories make me cry- thank you Bari for letting us in to horror straight from hell. It is real.
I agree that even contemptible people get free speech as long as it isn't incitement to violence. So, while the grinning Cornell professor who found the Hamas attack exhilarating is someone I would cheerfully throw into Cascadilla Gorge if I could get away with it, I don't want the Cornell administration to punish him. What I do want is for it to condemn him strongly, not with a tepid statement that his views are contrary to Cornell's values. If students parade around yelling that Jewish Israelis are colonist settlers, I don't want them punished, but I want Martha Pollack, if she is going to make a statement, to put the words Hamas and terrorist in on sentence (she did, ultimately) AND to refute the antisemitic canards. The same would go for the other university presidents, who all seem to use the same PR firm with their wordy statements that try to please all the people while remaining morally opaque.
There’s free speech and there’s “free speech.”
I’m all for literally and equally free speech. We haven’t seen that in a long time. If Jews, other Israelis, or Trump say something, most media distort it to fit an evil story they have in mind. If arabs say or do something, the very same media surround it with an aura best described as heroic. All sides are given what is loosely and recklessly called “free speech,” but it plainly is not.
When the savages’ apologists—the ones referring to terrorists as “gunmen”—can be interviewed personally, when defenders of logic and reason are given the same seats at the table as the floridly evil, that’s when we will have truly Free Speech. And not until.
I have been struggling with this all week...when does 'free speech' become 'hate speech' become 'hate crimes' and then 'criminal acts'? This spectrum is way too fuzzy for my comfort. When depressed people SAY they are considering suicide, isn't that sometimes the step right before they actually do take their life and when we were supposed to have taken them seriously? Are hateful words towards individuals and groups precursors/prequels to future criminal thoughts and actions? And how does one decide that someone is actually going to do what they say? Words matter.