When it comes to free speech, I’m a Nazi.

August 28th, 2006

When I was a young man I was a fervent liberal.

I was a liberal because I believed with all my heart what Evelyn Beatrice Hall said in 1906:

“I disapprove of what you say, generic viagra unhealthy but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

One of the main reasons I am no longer a liberal is because liberals turned their back on that belief years ago…as evidenced by their embracing of politically correct speech, cialis their elevation of feelings above freedom of expression, and this weekend’s protest against the Nazis who spoke in Madison.

The question I have to ask is who was acting more like fascists: the Nazi’s exercising their freedom of speech, or the crowd who would have gladly suppressed it?

Entry Filed under: Philosophy,Why I could NEVER be a liberal

6 Comments Add your own

  • 1. Kate  |  August 28th, 2006 at 1:47 pm

    I too am a “reformed liberal”. :)

    The only people who are allowed free speech by libs, are other libs, who all agree eith each other. That’s been evidenced in recent years, where anyone who disagrees with their views are shouted down, called “racist” or “bigot”, or even physically attacked (personal experience with this one).

  • 2. Kerry Tanner  |  August 28th, 2006 at 1:56 pm

    Hi Mike,
    Seriously with no personal opinion what is the definition of a Conservative and the definition of a Liberal. The reason why I ask is because the definition seems to change from political decade to political decade. What defines a liberal or a conservative? Is it the political opinion of the person who is running for office that defines these terms? I truly would like to know. Thanks, Kerry

  • 3. Administrator  |  August 28th, 2006 at 2:22 pm

    Excellent question, Kerry!

    The truth is I’m not sure.

    My feeling is that nowadays the terms “liberal” and “conservative” have little to do with particular principles and act more as shorthand for identifying with certain stances on certain topics.

    For example:

    A “liberal” would be:
    Pro-choice
    Anti-death penalty
    Pro-gun control
    Pro-Affirmative Action
    Pro separation of church and state

    A typical “conservative” would be on the opposite side of all of those.

    But it’s easy to see that the stances of neither side fit comfortably into any single philosophy.

    For example, how can a conservative be pro-life for the unborn, but pro-death for the living? (They would say it’s a question of innocence, but I’m trying to make a point here. ;)

    How can a liberal be for every freedom under the sun…except for the freedom to own/carry a firearm?

    I said in this post that I would no longer describe myself as a “liberal.” By the same token, I don’t consider myself a “conservative,” either.

    So, in some ways, I don’t really care what the definition of “liberal” or “conservative” are because I don’t define myself by either one of them.

  • 4. Disgruntled Car Salesman  |  August 28th, 2006 at 6:28 pm

    Elliot, they ARE Nazis. If you decide to associate yourself with Adolf Hitler, I’m not sure that you should be entitled to free speech. After all, Hitler didn’t allow all of his citizens freedom of speech.

    All I could think about when I heard this story is “Where is my ’74 Dodge with a cop motor, cop shocks that was built before a catalytic converter?” That way, I could do Jake and Elwood style.

  • 5. Administrator  |  August 28th, 2006 at 9:35 pm

    But weren’t those Illinois Nazis?

    I think these were from Minnesotta. ;)

  • 6. Chris  |  August 28th, 2006 at 9:53 pm

    But isnt it funny people who will lie down in traffic to defend people as insane nutjob such as Michael Barret’s right to say insane bullshat will try to shout down other nutjobs such as the NeoNazis because those nutjobs are not saying the right things.

    I am suprised the left in Madison attack the nazis like this there super mom Cindy Sheehan had no trouble cuddling up to the Stormfornt idiots when they came to supporter her in Crawford.

    I wonder if the Nazis in Madison had said nothing but Bush sucks would the protest have dried up and left them alone?

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