Peter Dorman — Freedom of Speech for Fascists?

Peter Dorman considers when liberalism needs to become illiberal, e.g., squelching dissent based on freedom of thought and expression, in order to protect itself. The question is where to draw boundaries and on what basis.

Econospeak
Freedom of Speech for Fascists?
Peter Dorman | Professor of Political Economy, The Evergreen State College

Michael Krieger — Antifa is Playing Right Into the Hands of a Burgeoning Police State

Krieger is correct here. Peaceful protest and nonviolent resistance are one thing, while violence and rebellion are another. Governments lawfully suppress the later.

But in present conditions, using violence to express resistance just feeds the ramping up of restrictions on civil liberties "in extremis" and growing the police/surveillance state. It's a strategic blunder unless one thinks that further imposition of a policy state will result in the public rising up to resist. That is most likely wishful thinking based on history. There is not much evidence to suggest it.

The media consensus, echoing the alt-right media, is already anti-antifa, and extremism on the left is being portrayed as at least equal to extremism on the right if not worse and a greater threat to America.

But, as Krueger points out, saying this will probably not change many people's minds.

So get used to "domestic terror" as a justification for further state control in the name of "security."

Liberty Blitzkrieg
Antifa is Playing Right Into the Hands of a Burgeoning Police State
Michael Krieger

UPDATE

Maxspeak

Nazi-punching for beginners

Max Sawicky

The Hill — Opinion
The Hypocrisy of Antifa
Jonathan Turley | Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University