Thinking out loud about free speech

Ainent had some fiery things to say about freedom if speech. One sentence jumped out at me.

"Hatred of free speech is anti-American."

Problem 1

Who hates free speech?

In some countries they put you in prison for saying anti-government things, but not in the US, where you can clearly do that. Ainent is a "free speech absolutist" which I suppose means believing that it's ok to shout "fire" in the proverbial crowded theatre. I think that most people would diagree. So I'd say that very few people hate free speech in any widely accepted sense.

Problem 2

If something is anti-American, why is that bad?

I'm anti-American. I'm not picking on one country. All counties are arbitrary lines on a map, and patriotism is a delusion.

Caveats

I disagreed with a lot if what Ainent said, but I defend his right to say it.

#freedom

gemlog