I own some damn strong feelings about the First Amendment that puts a hefty strain between me and the rightwing.

For me, free speech was a concept developed by a high school literature teacher exposing me to Henry II and Thomas Beckett. By using the words “Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest?” Henry II let it be known that he needed Beckett dead but used plausible deniability by simply asking a question, not issuing an order. Of course, four of Henry’s knights immediately traveled from Normandy to Canterbury and killed Beckett.

It is my belief that your free speech cannot intentionally hurt a specific group of people. If you yell fire in a crowded theater, people in the theater will prematurely meet their maker. You do not have permission to make up lies about innocent people, call them out by name, and advertise their home addresses.

I recently heard your right to free speech have another simple explanation.  Speech is free; lies you have to pay for.  You do not have the right to slander or libel.

And, once again Twitter becomes the gold standard of misinformation from not very bright people.

… by the government.  Jeremy forgot to say that part.  The government cannot take retribution or censorship.

You and I, however, have the joy of being able to do both retribution and censorship. If my neighbor puts a sign in his yard that says, “My neighbor is a Libtard,” he has that right. I can fully and legally respond with, “But at least I’m not a Nazi with an ass as wide as a bayou.”  That’s retribution. I’m better than average at it.

If I should ever be the lucky random winner of a My Pillow, I will cut off the tags and donate the pillow to a homeless shelter. That’s censorship. The government is not stopping Mike Lindell, you and I are.  By the way, Lindell has announced that he’s running for RNC Chair.

Look, I’m sorry this is so long, but I didn’t have time for a short snappy one.