So an MSNBC journalist tried to spray paint over ads she didn’t like thought that was an expression of free speech — instead of it trying to suppress speech as well as being illegal vandalism. With this, the people saying the makers of that video making fun of Islam should be arrested, and the recent Slate piece against free speech, it really seems like the country needs a remedial freedom course for everyone to take. This — like most good ideas — is talked about in my new book. We need a class explain what rights are and what they aren’t and why they are important. It will be mandatory for all politicians. So people like Mayor Bloomberg will have to keep taking it over and over until he passes and will be repeatedly shocked in the meantime (my advice is to also equip all politicians with pain collars for learning purposes). It really seems like we should all be on the same page on what rights are if we want to get anywhere with this country. I used to think these were things we all agreed were worth fighting for, but it’s looking less and less that way. Let’s at least all agree what rights and freedom are and then we can line up on the for and against sides.
“If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.”
-Samuel Adams
Speaking of your new book I found a typo in it. I will tell you where it is, but only if you give me high praise.
“Now breweth Cherry Wheat.” – Sam Adams
If I smack an MSNBC journalist, can I call that freedom of speech?
Doubly sad that A) *anyone* would think destruction of someone else’s property is free speech. B) That someone would object to the statement in the advert.
I love it when people invoke Samuel Adams.
When I was a teacher (not union) I used to try and explain to my students the difference between rights and privileges. They used to think having soda in class was a right. That sort of thinking is everywhere. Now we are told that among our rights are a free cell phone, home ownership, other people’s money and that free speech and gun ownership thing is just a privilege that is being abused…code for “needs to be taken away”.
Compulsory courses in remedial freedom for all! Advanced courses are optional, but recommended.
Regarding free speech, and having a class to explain it. Can you just taste the irony? The first thing you do upon entering a classroom is give up your right of free speech. The teacher—at best a benevolent despot—decides what is and isn’t discussed in class. You only have the right to freely parrot back the DNC talking points and left-slanted ideology of your instructor. Don’t stray from the party-line unless you enjoy detention and ultimately an F. Try this thought experiment in your liberal classroom…Redistribute the grades. All the A-students will contribute the top marginal rate of 35% of their “grades” to the failing students. Those in the B range would perhaps contribute about 15%. C’s would stay the same while D’s and F’s would benefit from the work and effort of the more studious. Keep doing that for a few tests and pretty soon I bet the classroom would be straight F’s.
Frank, Frank, Frank, It’s so simple. Let me explain. Freedom of speech means the “right” to say or do anything you feel like, no matter how harmful or offensive, to suppress any point of view that doesn’t comply with the liberal agenda. I think that’s the way they wrote it in the Constitution, right next to the part about abortion, minority quotas and the rejection of all religions but Islam.
You ever read something and when your eye goes from the end of one line to the beginning of the next, you accidentally skip a line? I just did that with this article resulting in something uncharacteristic of Frank.
What I saw said: “This — like most good ideas — is politicians.”