Ahahaah ****ing Christ NVM why do I even bother with these Rhodes Scholars?




Read chez' response again.

Fair enough. I was making the general point that people who think free speech is sacrosanct often seem to assume that they are the ones who are correct about it's value vs others who are mistaken. That doesn't lead anywhere as the debate is about the pros and cons of free speech. It's not clear that those who want more restrictions disagree about the upsides of free speech - I might even think it has a bigger upside than those who think it should be less restricted.

Just re universities in particular. I don't see this as a free speech issue at all as free speech doesn't imply that an institution has to allow anyone to speak. If the law disagrees then the law is a ass.

The problem is the same lunatics are the ones protesting/rioting. They have shown they are no more than a bunch of hoodlums. Obviously the more rational liberals don't care enough to put a stop to this nonsense. Therefore, liberals have lost their rights to protest in my opinion.

I'd say conservatives can continue to protest, but conservatives don't protest/riot.

I think they should be deported. You don't like this country? Bbye now!

I see it difrent and am more worried about my government oppressing it then college, left or right since both do, baring speakers.

If Hitler were alive and went to speak at Berkley and sent the SS to burn and destroy the place how would you feel?

Very American of you. You don't seem to like free speech so maybe you should move your flat to somewhere that is not an issue.

I don't have time to talk the draft is tomorrow. If you all wanna talk NFL draft maybe we can change this to the NFL draft thread. I got work to do.

These go after the same thing so I'll address them together. If Berkeley were a private school and some % of their students signed a petition saying they didn't want someone to speak, of course there would be no free speech issue.

I'm not sure what (if anything) changes at a public school but it absolutely does become a free speech issue with the cancellation being done under threat/fear of violence. The government has an obligation to protect speech that is being shut down through illegal means. Part of the first amendment has to be using government force to stop others from using force to shut down speech.

I don't know what this sentence means but if it's meant to be taken literally than you are just wrong. They can still protest. That's also protected by the first amendment.

Didn't say it was no issue said I see trump and the right as a bigger one.

So both sides are the Nazis? I'm not sure you understand how analogies, or words for that matter, work.

I'd disagree but only about it being a free speech issue. Any violence/intimidation used to prevent an institution carrying out it's lawful activities is (and should be illegal) irrespective of the 1st amendment.

You're mistaken if you think I don't consider the downsides of restricting free speech as well as the upsides, I have reached a view over several decades that I believe minimises the harm overall. You may believe you are right and I am wrong, you may even be correct but the error is not because I'm trying to be agreeable.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by 'being empathetic isn't a virtue'. It's part of being human and if I didn't have empathy then I wouldn't give a **** about most of politics. I dare say it's the same for you - these issues don't affect us enough to be so bothered by them otherwise.

Yeah, it seems I was just wrong about that. Oops.

I'm not sure if this empathy thing is in reference to Paul Bloom but his book sold me on the idea that it does kind of suck.

Compassion is great though.

Conservative abortion protesters have broken the law and have even killed.

I fear a semantic quagmire if we go there but a quick read of his article in the guardian suggests it's irrelevant to this discussion. He makes the mistake of thinking we will account for the emphatic feelings in a highly irrational way when forming political views - sure many will but they are going to be highly irrational whichever way they go.

Giving a **** about the NFL draft is stupid.

I don't think you should be arrested, tried, and convicted of a crime for making these posts. That's how strongly I believe in free speech!

Oh! Now I get it😉

Because I haven't broken any laws.

These people are freaks too. You people protest/riot everything though. Often times you don't even know what riot you're attending.

You get what? That I'm not a child?

If they break the law they should be punished, but i see nothing wrong with them protesting for something they believe in. America!!

Im not a part of any people afaik. I know that is part of the stick. Anyone who disagrees is they and protest = riot.


Like i said you should move your flat somewhere that makes you more happy. There are all kinds of places which dont allow the right to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.