The editors of the Moscow-Pullman Daily News don’t like free speech when it disagrees with theirs. They write today:
Recent events have caused us to reexamine the limits of our freedoms.
In particular, what is the limit of free speech? Where is the line between hate speech and free speech? And how to react when that line is crossed?
Let’s take a look at the 1st Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
So, dear DN editors: where are the limits of our free speech? Do people who disagree with you meet that requirement?
They go on:
Even those horrified by the violence that took place in Portland must fear this sets a dangerous precedent. Should a group of Americans be denied the right to express their opinion because of the actions of one man who aligns himself with them? Even the ACLU doesn’t think so.
I have no idea where they came up with that last sentence. The ACLU said just the opposite:
- ACLU defends alt-right freedom of speech in Portland
- ACLU of Oregon Says Mayor Ted Wheeler’s Attempt to Quash Alt-Right Rallies Violates the First Amendment
- The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon says that Mayor Ted Wheeler’s efforts to keep far-right protesters from holding more rallies in Portland is an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment.
I’m waiting to see if the DN’s posts a correction.