It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.
Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.
Thank you.
Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.
"Our police department has made it clear that they have very specific intelligence regarding threats that could pose a grave danger to the speaker, attendees and those who may wish to lawfully protest the event. At the same time, we respect and support Ms. Coulter’s own First Amendment rights."
"Our police department has made it clear that they have very specific intelligence regarding threats that could pose a grave danger to the speaker, attendees and those who may wish to lawfully protest the event. At the same time, we respect and support Ms. Coulter’s own First Amendment rights."
originally posted by: LesMisanthrope
a reply to: DBCowboy
Of course, I often read your posts as a reminder.
An easy way to weed out the closet censors is to see if they'll defend hate speech.
originally posted by: Spiramirabilis
a reply to: Grambler
You can pretend you are for free speech all you want, but the fact that you are placing blame on Coulter shows this is not true.
I said she is responsible for forcing an issue that didn't need to be forced. She is not owed anything. Her first ammnedment rights weren't violated. She wasn't harmed in any way
She was however perfectly willing to let people do battle in the streets rather than make perfectly reasonable arrangements
If you want to compare Ann Coulter to Martin Luther King - OK :-)
But Dr. King was in the streets himself, personally. He was jailed. Both he and his followers knew what they were dealing with. They went in with their heads held high - resolved to stand up for their rights
Ms. Coulter, on the other hand - stands whimpering and kvetching behind a media circus. A ginormous pouting crybaby that couldn't care less about what happens to people in reality because she knows she'll be just fine
Better than fine - this whole thing just made her a whole bunch of money
You disagree with this and accuse me of being against freedom of speech?
The two things have nothing to so with each other
originally posted by: Annee
originally posted by: ketsuko
originally posted by: Annee
originally posted by: ketsuko
Whether or not a Constitutional right is being denied is all in how you phrase things these days.
But, it wasn't.
They never told her she couldn't speak. They did tell her you can't speak in this situation - - - here's another option.
Which SHE declined.
And when the same groups pull the same stunts? What happens then?
You mean like when a Liberal is scheduled to speak at a Conservative Fundamental event?
You all just want to make it all about Berkeley.
Vermont senator and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders spoke Monday at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, the conservative Christian campus founded by Jerry Falwell and now headed by his son Jerry Falwell Jr. Ten thousand students filled the arena, because their attendance is essentially mandatory for all university convocations twice a week — they are allowed one absence each semester only — and their applause was largely polite rather than passionate.
This university has two non-negotiable commitments, one to free speech, the other to the safety of our campus community members, their guests, and the public. In that context, we cannot ignore or deny what is a new reality. Groups and individuals from the extreme ends of the political spectrum have made clear their readiness and intention to utilize violent tactics in support or in protest of certain speakers at UC Berkeley. In early February, a speaker’s presence on campus ignited violent conflict and significant damage to campus property. In March, political violence erupted on the streets of Berkeley. In April opposing groups again violently clashed on the edge of our campus. While some seem inclined to use these events and circumstances to draw attention to themselves, we remain focused on the needs, rights, and interests of our students and our community. We cannot wish away or pretend that these threats do not exist.
The strategies necessary to address these evolving threats are also evolving, but the simplistic view of some – that our police department can simply step in and stop violent confrontations whenever they occur – ignores reality. Protecting public safety in these circumstances requires a multifaceted approach. This approach must take into account the use of “time, place, and manner” guidelines, devised according to the specific threats presented. Because threats or strategic concerns may differ, so must our approach. In all cases, however, we only seek to ensure the successful staging of free speech rights; we make no effort to control or restrict the content of expression, regardless of differing political views.
originally posted by: neo96
a reply to: Gryphon66
I don't have to.
Hate speech is nothing but a political neologism created because the left wing don't want to get their feelings hurt.
The punch line.
ALL political speech is protected under the first amendment.
The specific reason it was created in the first place.
People could not go around criticizing the British crown. King Georgie boy.
Which snipped off the Founding fathers.
So they created a protection set in stone.
That NO ONE could infringe.
what i like about unfettered freedom of speech is it makes it easier for me to identify assholes that i'd rather not waste precious time with.
It really was easier to do when I was a kid. Now its like walking through a sea of used car salesmen, at least until you come online where people aren't afraid to speak a little more freely.
originally posted by: introvert
originally posted by: Grambler
originally posted by: introvert
originally posted by: Grambler
originally posted by: introvert
originally posted by: Gryphon66
originally posted by: introvert
How was Coulter silenced when it was her decision to cancel the speech after her sponsors bailed on her?
We've been asking that for pages.
The answer is "but people said things we don't like."
I don't think any of them have picked up on the irony yet.
I can imagine that question has been asked many times.
The OP states that she was offered the chance to speak at Berkely, so it seems illogical to say she was silenced.
Yep makes sense.
Oh and remember that jerk Rosa Parks?
No one said she couldn't ride the bus, they just told here where should could ride when on it. Why did she have to make a big deal out of nothing?
Very odd comparison.
I don't think we can compare them at all.
Why? If Coulter is being unreasonable for refusing to change her event because of threats of violence, why isn't Rosa Parks unreasonable for refusing to just sit in the back of the bus because sitting up front could cause violence?
One is a 1st amendment issue. The other is an discrimination issue.
No comparison.
In the video, an instantly-recognizable Damigo can be seen attacking 20-year-old Louise Rosealma, a member of the Oak Roots anarchist collective. The video went viral over the weekend, leading to calls for Damigo's arrest and his expulsion from CSU Stanislaus.
So your argument is that Coulter should have showed up and taken a beating, then you would think she did the right thing?
Groups and individuals from the extreme ends of the political spectrum have made clear their readiness and intention to utilize violent tactics in support or in protest of certain speakers at UC Berkeley.