I have a serious and important question for my conservative friends -- if I have any left. Exactly what operative difference is there between the Paris terrorist attack and threats by American conservative congressmen and other government officials against the press that they personally dont like? For example, like that guy from New York (who just resigned) who threatened (on video) to throw a journalist off the balcony in the Capitol rotunda if he reported about him any more; or the guy who threatened that Portland newspaper with a lawsuit if it used his name in any story criticizing him. The answer is: none. Its only a difference in degree, not in kind. Those threats, just like the Paris terrorist attack, are intended to intimidate and to stifle the free press. Those sorts of attacks are the very antithesis of what the First Amendment means. In fact, threats by Congressmen are worse because they are threats being made by our own government. Similarly, how is it any more acceptable free speech for journalists in France, or conservatives in the US, to attack the Muslim religion, or Jews, or Atheists, than it is for journalists, or liberals, to criticize Christians? The answer is: its not. Criticism of ANY religion is a legitimate exercise of free speech. War on Christmas fanatics, especially those who hold government office, need to understand this fundamental truth. Their religion is entitled to no special protections. Thats what the First Amendment means. If France teaches us anything, its that the exercise of First Amendment rights unfortunately carries risks. It also teaches that its time we stood up to our own bullies at home who also seek to suppress speech and stifle free thought. We need to look carefully in the mirror. Those who would wield government authority to suppress criticism of themselves are the real threats to free expression in this country. And without free expression, exactly what is it that were at war with Muslim terrorists for, in the first place? The answer is: nothing. It makes us exactly the same.
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 21:14:36 +0000
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