When we say we “support free speech,” we are really saying that we support dissident thought and the people actively challenging the hegemonic system—its political and military structures and its dominant morality and civic religion.
Julian Assange didn’t become the most hated man in Washington by publishing bizarre pornography or even bomb-making material. In fact, a decade ago, he operated with the full cooperation of the mainstream media.
Assange is being oppressed because he published material that morally challenges the legitimacy of Washington’s military empire (and to a lesser extent the DNC).
Absolute, pure “free speech” has never, will never, and should never exist. Only the most ludicrous anarchist supports the “right” of someone to publish a snuff video or similarly disgusting material.
It’s worth noting that at today’s “free speech” rally in Washington, one of the organizers denounced flag burning, even though this is clearly an example of political speech and it does not threaten anyone physically. (No doubt, this marine sees the flag as sacred.)
The fundamental problem with these Alt-Lite “free speech” rallies—and why I don’t support them in any way—is that the organizers and participants don’t have any interest in supporting actual dissident thought; indeed, they actively suppress dissident thought.
The Alt-Lite seeks to secure their “right” to harass liberals in public, remain partisan cheerleaders and political hacks, and basically engage in the kind of meaningless hijinx that doesn’t challenge political hegemony in the slightest.
Whatever you might think of the efficacy of the guy holding up a sign reading “Jews Own the World,” he was engaging in peaceful expression in a public space in the nation’s political capital.
IOW, the guy with the sign was being “edgy” in an entirely appropriate context. If he can’t express such a sentiment at a “free speech” event in DC, then where exactly should he go?
And yet, the Alt-Lite brags about shutting him down and have made the usual insinuations that he’s a DNC plant, agent provocateur, or lunatic. They can’t imagine that someone would actually challenge the dominant civic religion and taboo system.
