We need a frank conversation about... conversation

[Prometheus]

Musk's (possible) purchase of Twitter plus the Buffalo shooter's "manifesto" have got the so-called "left" in an uproar over free speech. Specifically, they are in an uproar about people hearing speech that the "left" doesn't like. The Buffalo shooter's manifesto gives them plenty of ammo. It's pretty obvious that the boy was essentially "radicalized" by the right-wing media. His head was obviously filled with misinformation, disinformation, and the usual right-wing talking points that are the stock-in-trade of Fox, Breitbart, and so many other right-wing outlets.

But should we ban Fox and their fascist friends from saying what they want?

I say, "No," and I'll give you my reasons:

First and foremost, I want to be able to identify whom to avoid (when possible).

Secondly - but not less importantly - banning speech that one doesn't like is the opposite of free speech. If you say you want to live in a free and equal society then that means you have to allow people to share their opinions, no matter how stupid or hateful they may be. Listen up "lefties" because some of your speech falls into those categories as well. And that right there will bring us to....

Thirdly, stop acting like the moral high ground can be claimed by either side. It can't. For every tiki-torch carrying Hitler-wannabe, there's black-clad and masked member of AntiFa with a stock of bricks in their backpack. For every cry of, "Brown people coming to our borders is an invasion!" there's a cry of, "White people are genetically racist!"

I think the biggest reason why the so-called "left" really wants to shut down free speech (even if it's obviously ignorant and hateful) is that they want their speech to go unchallenged - even more than it already is. I've said this many times before: The "left" doesn't want the "dialogue" that they keep talking about. If they actually had to stand and debate their positions rationally and politely, there's a good chance that their arguments would crumble. They know it and they don't want to have to do it.

I'm not saying that the arguments from the "right" would fare much better, but they do seem to have the courage of their convictions to stand up and go toe-to-toe, so to speak.

Who's going to storm away from the Thanksgiving dinner table first: MAGA grandpa or the obese, neon blue-haired, non-binary grandchild?

Are any minds on the "right" going to be changed by such open debate? Not likely. But I think there are plenty on the "left" that aren't quite as "leftist" as they would have their brethren... theirthren(?) believe who just might be more tempted to move towards the "center." THAT is the true fear that the "left" has of free speech: that  - while much of it may be ignorant and hateful - it might not all be so illogical and they just don't want to lose "followers."

Finally, I want everyone to have their say so that instead of hurling insults, storm(fronting)ing off in a huff(ington post), or descending into violence, people might actually start to engage in actual conversations again: the polite, respectful exchange of ideas and opinions. Who knows? Maybe that polite and respectful conversation helps bring someone back from the brink of doing something violent. Maybe we need to realize that people tend to "act out" when they feel they aren't being listened to.

Is it going to happen overnight? Nope. Is it going to happen at all? Not if the "left" has their way. They seem OK with mosques, imams, and the Confucius Institute "radicalizing" today's youth but seem oh so worried that "hate" from white people is so much worse.

We need to hear all the human voices... even if some of them are racist assholes.

/Wednesday Morning Rant