Tag: First Amendment

In the runup to the 2020 US general election, several events have occurred on local, state and federal levels that point to an authoritarian slide for the United States. Jaye discusses some of these events, including the presidential and vice-presidential debates, the plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the Kentucky grand jury decision in the Breonna Taylor case, Donald Trump’s ban on the teaching of “critical race theory” in public schools, and the rushed efforts to confirm staunch conservative Amy Coney Barrett to the US Supreme Court in advance of the election. Focusing on the example set by the Christian Right, Jaye makes the case for progressives voting for Joe Biden in this election, and warns that there is more at stake in this election than policy goals.

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Jaye is joined by her husband Chuckles as they discuss free speech versus calls to violence and terrorism, as well as if Donald Trump’s rhetoric and actions in support of gun control will upset his supporters enough to turn against him in 2020. Chuckles stans Candace Owens and sees her temporary ban on Twitter as an example of a conspiracy by the social media giant against conservative voices. Jaye points out that white supremacists run rampant on Twitter despite the ability to filter them out just like they filter out Islamic terror groups – because Twitter doesn’t want to ban Republican politicians.

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In light of the growing normalization of white supremacy and related forms of bigotry in the United States, Jaye focuses on the debate between unfettered free speech and the regulation of hate speech. What does “free speech” truly mean in the US context, and why does it matter? Should “dangerous” speech be made illegal? Jaye also discusses libertarian ideology – specifically how, despite its emphasis on individual rights, it may fall short in the realm of free speech. In a corporatocracy, should we consider ensuring free speech rights in relation not only to government, but also to businesses, especially in the Internet age?

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