"Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear."
[Special Message to the Congress on the Internal Security of the United States, August 8, 1950]
Harry S. Truman
"If this nation is to be wise as well as strong, if we are to achieve our destiny, then we need more new ideas for more wise men reading more good books in more public libraries. These libraries should be open to allâ€"except the censor. We must know all the facts and hear all the alternatives and listen to all the criticisms. Let us welcome controversial books and controversial authors. For the Bill of Rights is the guardian of our security as well as our liberty.
[Response to questionnaire in Saturday Review, October 29 1960]
John F. Kennedy
In other words, censorship and silencing opposition in a political climate leads to worse outcomes if left unopposed
Quote from: Munch on September 01, 2018, 06:17:44 AM
In other words, censorship and silencing opposition in a political climate leads to worse outcomes if left unopposed
That is only true for Anglo-Americans ... kill them all, Allahu Akbar!
That is only true for Dead White Men ... kill them all, Gloria Steinem!
We must have only two parties, then only one party ... so we can all speak with just one voice ... the voice of Big Brother.
Depends on who is doing the censoring. The government must not be allowed to do that. But a private business can make decisions on what they allow, within the law. Freedom of speech is a requirement on the government, private businesses are not required to provide soapboxes for any subject they dislike. If they don't want you to talk about growing roses, you are out of luck. If they don't want you to talk about politics, you are equally out of luck. If you don't like it, you go elsewhere. If there is no "elsewhere" and people want to discuss something, a new site arises.
Quote from: Cavebear on September 01, 2018, 10:19:51 PM
Depends on who is doing the censoring. The government must not be allowed to do that. But a private business can make decisions on what they allow, within the law. Freedom of speech is a requirement on the government, private businesses are not required to provide soapboxes for any subject they dislike. If they don't want you to talk about growing roses, you are out of luck. If they don't want you to talk about politics, you are equally out of luck. If you don't like it, you go elsewhere. If there is no "elsewhere" and people want to discuss something, a new site arises.
Unfortunately, in fascism, the line between government and private corporation is blurred.