Free Speech

The standard defense for so-called “free” speech is that good speech can overcome bad speech. Anyone who still believes that was either in a coma during the last Presidential election or spent it on Mars. Some, but by no means all of the Founders (notably Jefferson and Madison) were besotted by the Enlightenment, and believed that humans are essentially rational beings. Recent reports by Neuropsychologists and Behavioral Psychologists have rendered that belief false.

Trump rode to the White House by egregious appeal to the worst aspects of human nature. We have been told by his first wife that he kept a copy of “Mein Kampf” by his bedside. Clearly, he learned its lessons well. The Germans have outlawed Hate Speech, because they know from their own history how dangerous it is. If we fail to follow their example, our putative democracy will fail, as it should.

Ann Coulter and her ilk are spouting the worst kind of Hate Speech, most likely just because it garners them the attention they crave. Simply ignoring them will not work. They must be silenced.