I used to be a "free speech" absolutist. Any fool should be able to say anything he or she likes, on any subject. And the rest of us should be allowed to say anything we like in response. And I guess I still lean that way. But more and more I find myself less concerned about "free speech" and more interested in "true speech".
For the fact is propaganda is a powerful tool, particularly when unleashed on a ill or misinformed audience. And Americans are nothing if not ill or misinformed. (How many will run around fearful of ebola, then not get a flue shot?) I don't know how one protects true speech from free speech, likely it can't be done. But our inability to separate the two is likely to bring an end to our society.
For the fact is propaganda is a powerful tool, particularly when unleashed on a ill or misinformed audience. And Americans are nothing if not ill or misinformed. (How many will run around fearful of ebola, then not get a flue shot?) I don't know how one protects true speech from free speech, likely it can't be done. But our inability to separate the two is likely to bring an end to our society.
