Saturday, August 17, 2024

D.L. Gardner: Outrage Over Free Speech

Jonathan Turley’s book “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage,” is described by the publisher as “A timely, revelatory look at freedom of speech—our most basic right and the one that protects all the others.” What happens when the government polices our spoken words or even our thoughts and beliefs?

We all remember when the candidate lost the race and then pitched a hissy fit claiming election interference. Turley summarizes the episode like this: “What followed Trump’s election was pure, unadulterated, and uninhibited rage from the left. Democratic members opposed the certification of Trump’s election despite the lack of any serious election controversies.” The losing candidate wrote a book about it titled, “What happened.”

Turley documents numerous instances of raging speech while America was still under Britain’s control along with how the government responded. All of these instances played their own roles leading to the First Amendment. He continues documenting how government responded after our founding to raging speech. It’s not pretty.

For example Turley wrote, “The anti-free speech push started before (Woodrow) Wilson’s presidency with a Democratic Party that denounced any groups for views that undermined national unity. In a Flag Day speech, he (Wilson) promised to be unrelenting in his pursuit of anyone who attempted to ‘inject the poison of disloyalty into our most critical affairs.’ His support for the Espionage Act of 1917 was based on a chilling claim that disloyal citizens ‘sacrificed their right to civil liberties.’ Much like today’s government, which funds offices and projects to police social media to target dissenting viewpoints, Wilson’s government established a Committee on Public Information (CPI) to identify those espousing dangerous thoughts.”

Moving on to the 1950s Turley wrote, “Crackdowns would continue in periods of ‘temporary panic.’ The next major resurgence would come with the Cold War and ‘Red Scare.’ As federal officials arrested suspected Communists, Congress enacted new powers under the Internal Security Act of 1950 to allow the mass detention of dissidents. The Justice Department used the grand jury process to target political dissidents and coerce their associates. The work of the committees on ‘Un-American Activities’ took the Blackstonian model to its natural and grotesque conclusion. The very belief in socialism or communism was treated as a threat to public safety.”

Even today some believe the Biden administration has gone beyond the limit by charging J6 rioters with “obstruction.” Roughly 1,200 have been arrested for protesting at the Capitol January 6, 2021. The FBI are still looking for about 300 more suspects. Many who were convicted are still in prison 3 years after the riot.

This past June the Supreme Court ruled the Department of Justice overstepped its authority by charging hundreds of rioters with “obstruction.” According to CNN, “The high court ruled that the charge could still be filed against the rioters if prosecutors are able to demonstrate they were attempting not just to push their way into the building, but rather stop the process to certify the results of the election.”

Americans saw the same government reactions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government and media sought to control people through fear and panic. We should know better the next time government claims “emergency powers” to keep us quiet and isolated by violating our rights and mandating arbitrary safeguards.

Daniel L. Gardner is a columnist who lives in Starkville, MS. You may contact him at PJandMe2@gmail.com.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Turley and Turlet are pretty much the same word.

Just sayin!

Saltwaterpappy said...

I'm reading the book now. It's a great read on the history and a commentary on the First Amendment.

Anonymous said...

We lost free speech a long time ago. We have laws telling us what we can say. We even have some groups of people who can say anything but another group can say the same words and be put in jail and lose their job.

Anonymous said...

Y’all are hysterical. You love history if is fits your narrative. But history be damned if it covers post reconstruction through the glorification of confederate leaders, and the sustained represssion of blacks. Though this has greatly abated, there are still grandparents and parents that haven’t completely let go. But we can’t talk about that.

Instead let’s lament our lack of free speech here on JJ.

Krusatyr said...

Pointing out the dangers of Marxism should not require much work, it has not only failed each time it was tried, the effort killed tens of millions, all demonstrable facts, with photos, video and audio. And yet we have two committed marxists running as democrats for Pres and Vice Pres. Free speech and Freedom itself requires responsible journalist to play their role in presenting these two candidates, as well as Trump and Vance, as wholly and truthfully as possible.

Anonymous said...

Write on !

Anonymous said...

Good grief! Threats and slanderous lies and yelling fire when there isn't one are not included in "freedom of speech" in any free Nation only in a Marxist regime where terrorizing the people and spreading fear with lies is common.
I saw Jan 6th with my own eyes. That was no peaceful gathering or "tour" of the Capitol. The capitol police were assaulted, windows and door frames broken. Damage was in the millions. A gallows was erected ( not something usually carried along on a trip) and bear spray isn't need in a tour of Washington.
No riot which harms others or damages property is a peaceful protest. It's a riot and those of us who are still rational know that and don't see politics or policy as a justification.
And, DL, try to write a column about women's roles in society. You certainly are old enough to have had teachers who never married or had children and scraped to get by on a teacher's salary and who had to get family to sign for a car loan or credit account. Or have you always had attention deficient disorders so you can't truly observe the world around you?

Anonymous said...

The next time there is a deadly virus like Covid, I hope Gardner makes his point by going without a mask.

Anonymous said...

6:26. How does what you call “the glorification” of Confederate leaders suggest repression of the right of expression? It seems to me that there is a right to do so that is co-extensive with a right to state a view about the post-reconstruction South. On the other hand, it might be that you are suggesting the “wrong” ideas or statements can be suppressed consistent with the right of free speech. You may not see that the North Korean government would agree with you. The fact is that if you want to protect the right of free expression, you must protect it when it comes to “wrong” ideas and even offensive ideas. It means nothing at all if we are only protecting approved ideas.

Kingfish said...

This column in Spiked gives you a better idea what is going on in England. In England, they will literally throw you in jail for criticizing Trans extremists while allowing Muslims to riot with no consequences and march through the streets screaming death to Jews.

Anonymous said...

Of course we still have a right to free speech under the First Amendment. One is free to speak or publish any pornographic material one chooses.

But any speech about matters political, ayo, hol' up. We can't allow all y'all making comments that might possibly maybe in some way be hurtful and offensive.


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.