[lbo-talk] "Freedom" of fascist speech is an absurdity

[Marvin Gandall]

Actually, I don't think the left has historically supported freedom of 
speech for fascists for precisely the reasons you (Charles) mention. That's 
why it has generally tried to confront and disrupt fascist rallies as a 
matter of self-defence. But at the same time it has objected to legislated 
curbs on freedom of expression because it has adjudged, accurately, that 
these are more likely to be used against itself in times of crisis.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Charles Brown" <cbrown at michiganlegal.org>
To: <lbo-talk at lbo-talk.org>
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2006 9:16 AM
Subject: [lbo-talk] "Freedom" of fascist speech is an absurdity


>
>> Fascist "freedom" of speech is "freedom" to advocate the abolition of>
> freedom of speech. Abolition of freedom of speech is inherent to any
> fascist> state, by definition of fascist state. It is absurd to argue for
> the> "freedom" to advocate the end of freedom of speech.
>
> Wendy Lyon asked:
> Why?
>
> ^^^^^
> CB: I use absurd here to mean self-contradictory. If one values freedom of
> speech so highly , it would contradict that high evaluation to support 
> those
> who seek to abolish the freedom of speech, the very thing valued so 
> highly.
> If those who seek to abolish the freedom of speech succeed in their 
> effort,
> something you value most highly will be destroyed. It's elevating this
> specific group's freedom to speak above everybody's else's freedom to 
> speak,
> because this group is using its speech to advocate institution of a form 
> of
> government that will do away with the protection of freedom of speech.
> Fascists, by definition, eliminate freedom of speech.
>
>
>
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