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  • The irony of controlling speech in an effort to stop fascism is in itself, fascism.

"When you tear out a man's tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you're only telling the world that you fear what he might say." __ George R.R. Martin

The freedom of speech and expression is protected by the First Amendment under the Bill of Rights in the United States Constitution.
The first amendment states "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."

The issue of freedom of speech is when people get up in arms about what should be said what should not be said.

  • A classic modern example is the usage of pronouns within the the LGBTQ community.

There are already countries such as Canada and Australia that had made it illegal to use the wrong pronouns, stating that is a violation of human rights.

  • Another modern example is illegalizing Holocaust denial.

There are now over 20 countries that have made it illegal to deny the Holocaust. Even questioning the math and scale of the event is considered a denial.

I argue that anyone who wants to ban any speech comes from a place of feelings. With the exception of making a threat, which is already illegal, the freedom of speech and expression should be absolute because any ban on speech and expression is a slippery slope that will lead to more control of speech.

I've noticed that it is the very people who espouse "free speech and dialogue is the key to societal progress" are the ones who tend to turn away and ostracize those that they disagree with.

Most people don't know what fascism means but they tend to throw the word around because they like virtual signaling and parroting others.

Video: England: Where "Free Speech" is ILLEGAL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpnZDd2odc8

Questions to ponder:

  • Should racists be de-platformed?
  • Would you allow Nazis to speak freely?
  • Can speech incite violence?
  • Should hate speech be protected under free speech?
  • What is considered hate speech?
  • Should people be allowed to burn the American flag?
  • Should people be allowed to not like LGBTQ people?
  • Is it still considered free speech if there's no freedom of reach?
  • Should people stop talking about something if someone is offended?
  • Should we be obligated to respect people's pronouns?
  • Why do only some people are allowed to say certain racial slurs?
  • Does our educational system allow free speech?
  • Can you or should you be able to say whatever you want at a work place?
  • Is using legislative coercion a form of controlling people's free speech?
  • How do you view censorship?
  • What speeches should be banned? (Why or why not?)
  • What speeches should be allowed? (Why or why not?)
  • Can speech in itself ever be considered violence?
  • Is offense given, taken, both or neither?
  • Should people be allowed to question or deny major atrocities?
  • Does feelings and experiences make reality?
  • Is free speech a human right?
  • Can banning speech be a product of historical sensitivity?
  • Should we be more sensitive toward others?
  • To what extent is being more sensitive a form of cultural manipulation to achieve an agenda?
  • Do liberals or conservatives tend to be more supportive of free speech? (Examples?)
  • Do liberals or conservatives tend to be less supportive of free speech? (Examples?)
  • How societies are affected from hyper sensitivity and policing speech?
  • Should comedians make racist and sexist jokes?

Guidelines:

  • Hand raises are required. There are no limits on how many times you can raise your hand.
  • There will be a 2-3 minute timer for every person depending the size of attendees. However, in this group, I do allow a brief back and fourth interjection from others if it's something that's related to the person who was just speaking. This is a way to prevent the group from feeling too "robotic" in style and get your pressing question asked to the speaker and get the answer right away without waiting all the way back to your turn again.
  • Be authentic & civil!
  • Please refrain from using Ad Hominem (personal) attacks. This includes in voice, in meeting chat, and in the comments section below. Instead, please attack the points from others. Severe Ad Hominem such as racist behavior will result in being removed from the meeting.
  • Zoom link is posted well before the day of the meeting but you will not be able to join until 10 minutes before the meeting start time.

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