Faith, Beer, and Other Things That Interest Geoff

Anti-Clinton Film Declared as Advertising

I don't care who this film is about. Campaign finance reform restricts free speech.

Labels: campaign finance, free speech

Stand by Steyn

Actions like the one against Steyn threaten the foundation of free society. Once you declare one group off-limits for critical examination, once you declare that these people -- whoever they may be -- must at all costs not be offended, then you have destroyed one of the essential elements of free speech and political debate. In a free society, people with differing opinions live together in harmony, agreeing not to force their neighbor to be silent if his opinions offend them. If offensive speech had been prohibited in the 1770s, there would be no United States of America, and that is one of the reasons for the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Of course, Canada is a different case -- but wherever offensive speech is prohibited, the tyrant’s power is solidified. That is no less so in this case, although the tyrant in question is of a different kind.

Labels: free speech, islam, mark steyn

Dems Push for Fairness Doctrine

My friend Hwang thought those of us who oppose hate crimes legislation did so out of racist motivation. I said that it was because I fear those laws would eventually be used to squelch dissent and free speech.

It is things like the article I linked to above which keep stoking this suspicion.

Labels: free speech, liberalism