Without free speech, fascism

The United States faces many serious challenges today. The gravest, I feel is that we are losing our First Amendment rights to free speech.

The amendment has faced many challenges through history, but nothing like today. With the advent of “hate speech,” it seems that anything that someone finds offensive or disturbing has to be censored. This began on campuses, where speakers who had diverse viewpoints were denied access, or if allowed to speak, were shouted down. Now, it seems, there can be no other side to the leftist drivel; no answer, no discussion. The “thought police” rule. A corrupt and dishonest media never challenges the mob, often printing as fact obvious lies or distortions.

Politicians, corporations and individuals have become obsequious fawners to the most ridiculous demands. They cave in to the implied and actual extortion they fear. Race and gender are now the tools used to seal lips and expunge all thought. We see a new age of racial and gender “McCarthyism” where individuals are censored and history “erased.” Diverse views, opposing opinions (all opinions matter) and informed debate are necessary for a self-governing democracy to succeed. Without the right of free speech, without fear or harm, we have fascism.

Jeff Reyburn

Spokane