There have been plenty of hot takes from Democrats and #NeverTrumpers on what to do about “extremism” (but not from their lunatics, of course) since the mostly peaceful D.C. protest. Not that they haven’t looked to restrict free speech from political opponents for a long time, but, now they are really ramping it up
With most Americans hoping this week’s expected inauguration protests look nothing like the Capitol siege, questions emerge about unrestrained free expression, long championed by First Amendment theorists as a benefit to society, no matter how ugly and hateful.
The optics may be disturbing, especially so soon after the riot, with the potential of protesters — many of like mind with those who stormed the Capitol — screaming, or worse, at troops and police standing guard outside the razor wire-topped fences surrounding the Capitol.
Weird, we didn’t hear the same thing from CNN and other media outlets when Biden voters, like BLM and Antifa members, were calling to kill police officers and white people, screaming at police officers as they threw fireworks and firebombs at them and the federal justice building in Portland, right?
Is allowing this type of expression “good” for America? An old First Amendment theory – known as the safety valve — says it is, that permitting groups to express themselves releases pressure, ensuring objectionable ideas aren’t driven underground where they might boil over into violence.
Permitting free speech, including hate and extremist speech, is often cast as a universal boon, reinforced in idioms such as, “Sunlight is the best disinfectant” and “I don’t agree with what you say, but I’ll defend your right to say it.”
Permitting? That’s not the way this works. Government doesn’t permit it, they are restricted from stopping it. I didn’t see Conservatives call to stop the lunatics from speaking at their protests and riots. Mocking them, yes.
Not all First Amendment scholars are buying the safety valve theory, especially after the deadly episode at the Capitol. They question if extremist speech demands more limitations when it’s inextricably linked to the violence at the nation’s legislative headquarters, after hateful online rhetoric dovetailed with politicians and activists delivering speeches to revved-up crowds that marched to the Capitol, some bent on insurrection.
Even the American Civil Liberties Union, the consummate guardian of speech, has sought to address the “competing values” its long-held defense of expression presents, and some experts say free speech theories need to take into account the way social media has transformed the marketplace of ideas.
And this is how we move towards restricting speech. Of course, we do have a Supreme Court which will knock this stuff down, and, if Democrats want a civil war, one which they are vastly outnumbered when it comes to privately owned firearms, this is one way to get it. The “article” gets into plenty of other things, let’s move on to
out:defund the police
in: fund the secret policethis is much better????????????
— Revisionist History (@Mast3rmo) January 18, 2021
Josh Stein says he’s just “discussing” it
All find echoes in the events surrounding January 6. None dare say “wake-up call†or “lessons learnedâ€â€”there’s been far too many of them over the decades. But one response to the 9/11 tragedy may well get renewed attention after the Capitol assault—especially if armed white nationalists are successful in carrying out more attacks in the coming days and weeks: The call for a secret police.
I’m pretty sure this violates the First Amendment, as well. As Twitchy points out, plenty of other Leftists are pushing for this. Are Democratic Party lawmakers dumb enough to give this a shot? Or Joe Biden directing federal law enforcement to focus on Republicans?
Do I need to mention that the 1st protects speech and protesting that we do not agree with?
“Do I need to mention that the 1st protects speech and protesting that we do not agree with?”
“Liberals” seem not to understand that POPULAR speech does not need protection.
A domestic spying agency? I mean, apart from the ones we already have?
A GREAT idea! We could call it the Special Terrorist And Subversive Inspectorate! The acronym would be perfect.
How did we as a nation deal with Islamic terrorism in the 2000s? How did we deal with anti-abortion terrorism in the 90s?
That’s what we can do to defeat this upswell of caucasian, christian, conservative terrorism. Tracking, infiltration of churches, travel bans, monitoring communications, monitor explosives purchases, pressure cookers, etc.
Remember when President Obama assassinated American citizens in Yemen for their inflammatory speech and inciting terrorism? Were you for or against Obama’s actions against Anwar Al-awlaki and family (Trump had the 8 yr old daughter killed)?
Jeffty! You discovered satire!
That WAS meant as satire, right? I mean, nobody with even half a brain (I put that in so we could include liberals) would actually believe that.
anal,
Not at all! The National Guard removed two members today who had ties to right-wing faux-militias. We can’t be too careful when it comes to terrorism. Who knows when some trumpist will go apeshit and uses a fire extinguisher to ruthlessly kill another American.
Worshipping trump is more dangerous than worshipping Allah! At least only a small percentage of Muslims are terrorists, while it looks as if most trumpists are.
Maybe it’s time for the moderate trumpists to criticize and rein in the terrorist trumpists.
Oh my!
TWO!
And the little lyin’ pussy Rimjob is scared shitless.
Bwaha! Lolgf
“Worshiping trump is more dangerous than worshiping Allah!”
What’s your point, child? I worship neither. And I find the implication that I’m a liberal insulting.
BTW, you misspelled “Worshiping”. Twice.
You misspell “anal” every time you post, anal.
Only someone who spends their time worshipping trump would be upset about worshipping.
Check your spelling sources, anal. You may be incorrect.
Alan,
You have to possess intelligence to understand satire. Jeff, lacks that quality. You must treat him as a child, after all he acts that way.
I was trying to be polite and treat him as an adult. Waste of time, I know, but I don’t see any reason to treat everyone as a child, as our government likes to do.
Our esteemed host concluded:
No, of course it doesn’t! It protects the right of the left to protest the things with which they disagree, and looting, assault and burning out stores are all part of their protected freedom of expression.
But for conservatives? No, the First Amendment does not protect their freedom of speech or the press at all, not at all. A few hundred rowdies break into the Capitol and disrupt the electoral vote certification? That’s not expression, that’s insurrection, that’s rebellion, that’s an attempted revolution, and must be stamped out at all costs!
As far as I can determine the Great Insurrection amounted to a few broken windows, some busted doors, an attempt to steal the house podium, Nazi Pelousy’s stolen laptop(I think that’s a lie), a bunch of papers strewn around, a bunch of water bottles strewn around, one UNARMED young white female protester with 14 years in our Air Force and two young children murdered in cold blood by a fascist SS Stormtrooper, one cop killed when he was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher which caused a hemorrhage, one protester suffering a fatal heart attack. That totals three people yet the left keeps saying 5 people “died due to the massive rebellion”.
When you consider there were 300,000 protesters there and only about 50-100 actually entered the Capitol and did any damage that’s really a dud “insurrection”. Hell, that would be considered a dud riot!
I find the ridiculous hyperbole and overstatement of the affair by fascist Democrats to be the actual “insurrection” as that instills hate in people.
I would like to know what would have happened if a white cop shot an unarmed black woman the way Ashli Babbitt was by a black SS agent. A black SS agent whose name is being kept secret.
Now that we no longer live in a Democratic Republic we will learn about fascism first hand. They now crushed Free Speech, assembly, private property, the right to assemble, and the right to trial. Guns are a priority for these fascists.
Kyle,
Most of the damage was by antifa who were egging it on. Regardless, they should have burnt the building to the ground as it is no longer a symbol of democracy and freedom. The liberals have finally killed our country. If I were not so old, I would be leading the revolution, but with this I am going to just sit back and watch the whole house of cards fall in, it has started.
Kyle and davos are both crazier than shithouse rats. devo even advocates destroying the the US Capitol. Granted it needs to me sanitized and fumigated after the trumptilians overran the place.
Kyle – we have to assume you’re lying unless you show proof that the shooting officer was Black.
Ditto on the number of terrorists who occupied the building. How do you know how many were in?
From FOX News:
“Rep. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., said he witnessed the moment a police officer shot a woman inside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday and insisted the officer had no other choice.
A pro-Trump mob of rioters rammed their way into the Capitol Wednesday as Congress held a joint session to certify the election results, sending lawmakers into hiding.
Video shows a group attempting to force itself into the House chamber, where lawmakers were present. As protesters were breaking glass on the doors that kept them out to force their way through, a law enforcement officer fired a shot. One woman, Ashli Babbitt, was struck by a bullet and later died.”
She was unarmed.
She posed no immediate threat.
She was murdered.
Who ya gonna believe?
That lyin’ little pussy Rimjob or your own lyin’ eyes?
Lolgf
In case you missed it ya lyin’ little pussy…
https://tinyurl.com/y4fz6ba4
Lolgf
turdsucker,
Anyway, QAnon conspirators swear she’s alive, that it was staged.
Was Tamir Rice murdered? George Floyd? Rayshard Brooks? Atatiana Jefferson? Botham Jean? Philando Castillo? Alton Sterling?
It was tragic that Babbitt was killed storming the US Capitol Building but some patriotic rebels are bound to die during the rebellion.
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. – T Jefferson
Ms Babbitt was refreshing the tree of liberty with her blood.
You’ve been presented with video evidence of the murder.
Deny it all you want.
Oh, that’s right you’re a little lyin’ denyin’ pussy.
Lolgf
Only the QAnon conspiracists deny she was killed. The video, and I’ve seen the full version, not just the shooting, shows the shooting. She was shot climbing through the window which she had no legal right to do. The officer had dozens of spittle-flinging, screaming animals in front of him.
Was she murdered? Prosecutors very often side with police officers who feel they’re in mortal danger. It’s unlikely any murder charges will be filed.
Is she dead? Yes. Was she murdered? Doubtful.
You are the fukin liar Elwood. Look at the video. I did 5 days ago that’s why I always know more than you, I open my eyes to the truth.
I watched two black hands holding a Glock “sweep” the area locating a target. I then see the SS cop acquire his target, a lone woman standing on the other side of the door. aim and shoot her in the throat.
Now you look at the video and tell me what mirage you see.
BTW, I would have posted the video myself last week but for some reason The Cove will not permit me to copy and paste a link. So tuff shit. Do your own homework or continue in your fascist world of lies and denial. Makes no difference to me.
How soon will you be turning us in to the Gestapo? I see you brave fascists cut off Mike Lindell from selling My Pillow at Bed, Bath and beyond and Khols neither of which I will ever allow my wife to buy from again.
You fascists are scared faggots.
I see premiere Xiden appointed the he/she from my state as some sort of health expert. How can a man who doesn’t know his own sex run a health agency? I mean aside from the fact that he’s a lying hypocrite because he ordered Wuhan patients into old age homes while removing his OWN MOTHER to save her life. Once again “good for thee but not for me”. You are all liars and the fake leader will collapse America.
But that’s what you’ve always wanted isn’t it?
Kye,
I posted the full video more than once last week. She was climbing through the window, backed by violent, screaming assholes. She was partly through when she was shot. It was no surprise that the officer had a pistol pointed at her. Now, she is dead. It’s unlikely that murder charges will be filed. We can only hope her family finds comfort in the way she died.
Right wing sites have been posting a truncated version not showing the violent criminals breaking out the windows and threatening the two officers guarding the door.
Here’s one of her actually getting partway through the window.
https://nypost.com/2021/01/07/videos-show-shooting-of-ashli-babbitt-during-capitol-siege/
Here’s one showing the run up to the breach of Speaker’s Lobby just outside the House chamber.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/video-shows-fatal-shooting-of-ashli-babbitt-in-the-capitol/ar-BB1cAzWs
Is your point that a officer shouldn’t be frightened by a white woman? (Which is probably why her “friends” helped her through first).
Tragic.
You are all liars and your fake leader almost collapsed America. But we’ll save it.
“A mob of rioters made their way to the Capital where….lawmakers were present. Let’s not forget the last time a lawmaker was seriously injured was the shooting of Republican lawmaker Steve Scalise by a far left-wing loon…… Why are left wingers so destructive? Estimates of BLM violence over the summer, and continuing, are around 1 billion dollars, about 25 people killed, and over 700 police officers injured. But the poor babies were SO scared at the Capital….. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/james-hodgkinson-shooting-republicans-baseball-game
“I posted the full video more than once last week. She was climbing through the window, backed by violent, screaming assholes. She was partly through when she was shot. It was no surprise that the officer had a pistol pointed at her. Now, she is dead. It’s unlikely that murder charges will be filed. We can only hope her family finds comfort in the way she died.”
Having not seen that version of the video before it does appear Ashli was ATTEMPTING to climb through the window. Am I still a liar? However, you filthy fascist pig, she was an unarmed woman and ten feet away from the hateful black racist SS agent who still murdered her IN COLD BLOOD!!!
It is unlikely murder charges will be filed BECAUSE SHE”S WHITE AND HE”S BLACK!!!! I still ask you: if a white SS trooper shot an unarmed black woman what would you be saying. Careful liar, you already proved all you have is racist hate, don’t make it worse.
And your sarcastic line about her family finding comfort is precisely what makes you and your fascist comrades the worst kind of human(?) beings.
We figure Ashli was only the first of many non-fascist that will be murdered in the coming purge. Fascists and communists have a 100% record of doing so.