I did get to the point of being as mad as hell awhile ago.
As you did 1776 -- who was the character who said -- hell yes, I am for debating anything and then called for more rum. The member for New Hampshire. I sometimes feel like that. Debate, argue and reach a consensus.
But as Edward R Murrow (a big hero of mine) said -- right to dissent, the right to be wrong, is the first thing to go as a nation stumbles down the route to totalitarianism.
Democracy demands the most of its citizens ( 1947 Common Cause Natalie Wales Latham later Lady Douglas Hamilton) and I believe this is true.
Yes it was. Thank you, I knew you'd know and his speech about why debate is important is a masterpiece and does speak to this moment. I have had several breakfast martinis aka marmalade martinis which slip down easily but are lethal (highly recommend) and couldn't quite remember Stephen Hopkins name but knew you'd know and understand the sentiment.
I had already read/listened to some palaver on this story, from legal experts, and I didn’t think I needed any more. Then I saw it was the cornfield and figured I’d dip in. I’m glad I did, because with the other more genteel commentary I didn’t really realize how angry and disgusted I am about this kind of horseshit. It’s particularly frustrating having to keep saying that I’m a leftist before I talk about things like this, as if we leftists should feel apologetic for taking free speech seriously.
And as you suggest, that’s not even the most nauseating part of this; lots of people are wrongheaded (in my view) about free speech, but that in itself doesn’t necessarily anger me. It’s the degree of disingenuousness and phoniness in this lady’s self-serving script that is truly embarrassing.
Preach!
I did get to the point of being as mad as hell awhile ago.
As you did 1776 -- who was the character who said -- hell yes, I am for debating anything and then called for more rum. The member for New Hampshire. I sometimes feel like that. Debate, argue and reach a consensus.
But as Edward R Murrow (a big hero of mine) said -- right to dissent, the right to be wrong, is the first thing to go as a nation stumbles down the route to totalitarianism.
Democracy demands the most of its citizens ( 1947 Common Cause Natalie Wales Latham later Lady Douglas Hamilton) and I believe this is true.
Keep fighting the good fight.
It was Stephen Hopkins from Rhode Island! Thanks, Michelle.
Yes it was. Thank you, I knew you'd know and his speech about why debate is important is a masterpiece and does speak to this moment. I have had several breakfast martinis aka marmalade martinis which slip down easily but are lethal (highly recommend) and couldn't quite remember Stephen Hopkins name but knew you'd know and understand the sentiment.
It really is all about the right to be wrong.
I had already read/listened to some palaver on this story, from legal experts, and I didn’t think I needed any more. Then I saw it was the cornfield and figured I’d dip in. I’m glad I did, because with the other more genteel commentary I didn’t really realize how angry and disgusted I am about this kind of horseshit. It’s particularly frustrating having to keep saying that I’m a leftist before I talk about things like this, as if we leftists should feel apologetic for taking free speech seriously.
And as you suggest, that’s not even the most nauseating part of this; lots of people are wrongheaded (in my view) about free speech, but that in itself doesn’t necessarily anger me. It’s the degree of disingenuousness and phoniness in this lady’s self-serving script that is truly embarrassing.
You are an incredible writer, Jamie. Bravo.
Thank you Dossy! I'm just telling 'em like I see 'em.