This is true Liberty when free born men
Having to advise the public may speak free,
Which he who can, and will, deserv's high praise,
Who neither can nor will, may hold his peace;
What can be juster in a State then this?
John Milton
The modern political order is changing. Freedom of speech the sacrosanct right that all of us have come to expect at as a basic right right is under threat.
The threat comes from the state
Theresa May wants to introduce a new law ostensibly aimed at extremist preacher types provisionally called "Extremism Disruption Orders" The BBC reported in September:
A future Conservative government would seek new powers to ban extremist groups and curb the activities of "harmful" individuals, Theresa May has said.
Banning orders and "extreme disruption" orders will feature in the party's 2015 election manifesto, the home secretary told the party's Birmingham conference.
She got a standing ovation as she said "British values" would prevail in the end in the battle against extremism.
There are already laws in place to deal with those who promote violence, but this will go further and "cross the Rubicon" as all sorts of people could be drawn in under increasingly illiberal regimes that could arise out of the political flux that is developing in the UK.
Can we really stop Christians saying they disagree with gay marriage? Marxists who believe in working class revolutionary politics?
Of course not. People have a right to say what they want.
Subject to libel laws and existing provisions such as promoting hate or promoting attacks on other people.
Like err... the threats made against Salman Rushdie for example, which takes us to...
The threat comes from Islam(ism)
The religion of peace as it likes to be known is actually not very tolerant even it's more moderate forms if you read the Koran carefully. All sorts of activities from blasphemy to fornication and being different are "harem" and punishable by death.
Yet to openly expose this causes much discomfort amongst not just Islamists but the so-called liberal establishment. Take The University of West London. It has just cancelled an event to promote a secularist report on Jihad. The National Secular Society reports:
A new report from Sharia Watch UK (SWUK) has revealed the shocking reach of Islamist speakers on UK university campuses. The report, which warned of the dangers of censorship on campuses, was due to be released on Wednesday 12 November at an event at the University of West London. However, the University has now cancelled the launch, citing concerns over "PR" and the "balance" of the event.
Of course not. People have a right to say what they want.
Subject to libel laws and existing provisions such as promoting hate or promoting attacks on other people.
Like err... the threats made against Salman Rushdie for example, which takes us to...
The threat comes from Islam(ism)
The religion of peace as it likes to be known is actually not very tolerant even it's more moderate forms if you read the Koran carefully. All sorts of activities from blasphemy to fornication and being different are "harem" and punishable by death.
Yet to openly expose this causes much discomfort amongst not just Islamists but the so-called liberal establishment. Take The University of West London. It has just cancelled an event to promote a secularist report on Jihad. The National Secular Society reports:
A new report from Sharia Watch UK (SWUK) has revealed the shocking reach of Islamist speakers on UK university campuses. The report, which warned of the dangers of censorship on campuses, was due to be released on Wednesday 12 November at an event at the University of West London. However, the University has now cancelled the launch, citing concerns over "PR" and the "balance" of the event.
Anne Marie Waters said:
"none of the information we have put together in this report should come as any surprise. For decades now, Islamists have had a tight grip on British universities - much of it propped up by Saudi Arabia. We've seen a rise in anti-Semitism - even from lecturers towards Jewish students - gender segregation, anti-Western rhetoric, and all of it is facilitated and defended by a Left-wing elitism within student unions".
The threat comes from the far-left
Oh yes we can't forget the comrades can we? Those supporters of (cough) "workers democracy" who expel each other from their sects at the slightest sign of political deviancy. Unless they are called "comrade delta" of course. The leadership is always right.
If you criticise Islam in any way what so ever you are labelled "Islamophobic", if you dare to raise a concern about immigration you are racist. A form of arrogant intellectual bullying designed to frighten people off from raising difficult issues.
We know how these people behaved in power.
From Lenin & Stalin through the Gulags to the Year Zero with Pol Pot the threat or even whiff of dissidence is dealt with through suppression and death.
Free speech must be defended
Wherever the threat comes from, the state, religious or political sources people must stand up because without it democracy and human rights will fall.
The enemies of free speech are the enemies of humanity.
The threat comes from the far-left
Oh yes we can't forget the comrades can we? Those supporters of (cough) "workers democracy" who expel each other from their sects at the slightest sign of political deviancy. Unless they are called "comrade delta" of course. The leadership is always right.
If you criticise Islam in any way what so ever you are labelled "Islamophobic", if you dare to raise a concern about immigration you are racist. A form of arrogant intellectual bullying designed to frighten people off from raising difficult issues.
We know how these people behaved in power.
From Lenin & Stalin through the Gulags to the Year Zero with Pol Pot the threat or even whiff of dissidence is dealt with through suppression and death.
Free speech must be defended
Wherever the threat comes from, the state, religious or political sources people must stand up because without it democracy and human rights will fall.
The enemies of free speech are the enemies of humanity.
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