I just saw the reports coming from Arizona about the mass shooting at a public appearance by Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords by a man named Jared Loughner.
I'm not going to discuss the event itself. Right now the truth is buried in a flurry of conflicting reports and it could be days before we get anywhere near the real story, if it hasn't been already lost forever in a realm of urban myth.
What I am going to talk about is the rash of talk among the political left and its supporters calling for censorship of "inflammatory rhetoric" that they believe must be behind the shooting.
Here's a reality check:
He could have been inflamed by political rhetoric, he could also have been inflamed by the voices in his head.
His motives may also not spring from alleged "incitements to violence" from the political right. His real target may have been the Republican appointed Federal Judge John Roll.
The point is WE DON'T KNOW.
And I want those calling for censorship and regulation of "inflammatory speech" to ask themselves these questions:
What if this guy shot a Republican politician?
What if he was screaming "I did it all for you Keith Olbermann!" as the Secret Service took him down?
Would you still be demanding that free speech, the foundation of political liberty, be tossed out the window, or would you try to pawn it off as the work of a "lone nut," or still try to find a way to blame it on Glenn Beck or Sarah Palin?
If you had an ounce of honesty in yourself, you'd answer those questions, then you'd probably tone down your own rhetoric. Because those who demand censorship usually end up censored themselves in the end.
I'm not going to discuss the event itself. Right now the truth is buried in a flurry of conflicting reports and it could be days before we get anywhere near the real story, if it hasn't been already lost forever in a realm of urban myth.
What I am going to talk about is the rash of talk among the political left and its supporters calling for censorship of "inflammatory rhetoric" that they believe must be behind the shooting.
Here's a reality check:
WE DON'T KNOW WHY THE REAL REASON THIS GUY SHOT THOSE PEOPLE!
He could have been inflamed by political rhetoric, he could also have been inflamed by the voices in his head.
His motives may also not spring from alleged "incitements to violence" from the political right. His real target may have been the Republican appointed Federal Judge John Roll.
The point is WE DON'T KNOW.
WE MAY NEVER REALLY KNOW.
And I want those calling for censorship and regulation of "inflammatory speech" to ask themselves these questions:
What if this guy shot a Republican politician?
What if he was screaming "I did it all for you Keith Olbermann!" as the Secret Service took him down?
Would you still be demanding that free speech, the foundation of political liberty, be tossed out the window, or would you try to pawn it off as the work of a "lone nut," or still try to find a way to blame it on Glenn Beck or Sarah Palin?
If you had an ounce of honesty in yourself, you'd answer those questions, then you'd probably tone down your own rhetoric. Because those who demand censorship usually end up censored themselves in the end.
1 comment:
"Would you still be demanding that free speech, the foundation of political liberty, be tossed out the window, or would you try to pawn it off as the work of a "lone nut," or still try to find a way to blame it on Glenn Beck or Sarah Palin?"
No.
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