"Defending My Enemy"

来源: renqiulan 于 2023-12-17 19:34:30 [] [博客] [旧帖] [给我悄悄话] 本文已被阅读： 次 (2620 bytes)
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In 1976 a neo-Nazi group from Chicago sought a license to march through a Jewish suburb (Skokie)  but was roadblocked by a state court injunction.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) surprised the whole world by showing up in court and defending the First Amendment rights of American Nazis. The blowback from the public was immediate and ferocious.

In Chicago the ACLU executive director, who happened to be Jewish,* didn't yield to public pressure despite a huge membership loss, not to mention countless accusing fingers from Jews and non-Jews.

The ACLU's perseverance paid off. Freedom of speech had a happy ending---or beginning.

The United States Supreme Court's 1977 decision was a win for the ACLU on free speech and assembly (National Socialist Party of America v. Village of Skokie, 432 U.S. 43).

Ironically the Nazi group chickened out and canceled its Skokie march at the last minute, knowing that it would face tens of thousands of counter-protesters. Free speech had turned out to be a peaceful, effective way of denazification.

In our democracy, if the First Amendment doesn't apply to all Americans, then we may not be able to prevent the government from denying free speech rights to some Americans, which will invite the specter of dictatorship. In other words, "free speech for some means free speech for none," as the ACLU puts it succinctly.

With free speech as an ideal and practice, the American government has to be a people's government. Meanwhile, the American people must not be a government's people.


Author: renqiulan
(To me, a book is a pile of blank papers until I read it. )

* Aryeh Neier, "Defending My Enemy"(1979)

 

所有跟帖： 

• The American government has to be a people's government. -盈盈一笑间- ♀ 给 盈盈一笑间 发送悄悄话 盈盈一笑间 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 20:09:50

• the American people must not be a government's people. -盈盈一笑间- ♀ 给 盈盈一笑间 发送悄悄话 盈盈一笑间 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 20:10:39

• 问好秋兰 Thanks for sharing the insightful thoughts. -盈盈一笑间- ♀ 给 盈盈一笑间 发送悄悄话 盈盈一笑间 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 20:12:24

• Thank you, 盈盈! We have the right to speak truth to power. -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 20:35:56

• We therefore also have the right to make politicians' lives -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 20:38:22

• a bit difficult. Life is never easy, by the way. -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 20:39:40

• So, don't let politicians get fat and lazy. Haha! -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 20:43:03

• 一腔热血勤珍重，洒去犹能化碧涛。用秋瑾的诗赠送秋兰。：）） -盈盈一笑间- ♀ 给 盈盈一笑间 发送悄悄话 盈盈一笑间 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/18/2023 postreply 16:30:35

• "free speech for some means free speech for none" -CBA7- ♀ 给 CBA7 发送悄悄话 CBA7 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 20:33:56

• I cannot agree more! 秋兰好，it means "All or None", right? -CBA7- ♀ 给 CBA7 发送悄悄话 CBA7 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 20:36:48

• "All" here means everyone: friends and foes. -CBA7- ♀ 给 CBA7 发送悄悄话 CBA7 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 20:38:25

• Generally speaking, it's true. But the word "all" may need -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 20:47:24

• some nuance. Free speech must not be taken for granted by -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 20:49:16

• someone with criminal motives. For example, whoever involved -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 20:51:17

• in child pornography has no ground to claim -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 20:54:16

• free speech rights.Freedom of speech isn't necessarily free. -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 20:56:00

• That's right. Thanks for clarification! -CBA7- ♀ 给 CBA7 发送悄悄话 CBA7 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 21:04:09

• That's a good quote from the ACLU. -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 20:44:57

• "Defending My Enemy" 好像和圣经里面所说的“Love your enemies" 有异曲同工之妙吧。 -CBA7- ♀ 给 CBA7 发送悄悄话 CBA7 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 20:43:42

• My understanding is that if, by defending my enemy, I am -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 21:06:11

• also defending everyone's freedom of speech, then it's the -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 21:09:07

• right thing to do. 圣经上所说的“爱你的敌人”，用意也许一样。记得托尔斯泰就说过：勿以暴力抗恶。托氏 -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 21:13:10

• 之言更近圣经本意，虽然也是难以付诸实行。 -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 21:16:18

• 感谢小西！ -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 21:16:55

• 谢谢秋兰，晚安！ -CBA7- ♀ 给 CBA7 发送悄悄话 CBA7 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 21:20:51

• 小西晚安！ -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 21:23:44

• If you believe in freedom of speech, you believe in freedom -蓝灵- ♀ 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 21:49:16

• of speech for views you don't like.. -蓝灵- ♀ 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 21:50:00

• Precisely. Hi, 蓝灵！ -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 21:52:36

• Hi, renqiulan! If you're in favor of free speech (your turn) -蓝灵- ♀ 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 22:12:28

• that means you're in favor of freedom for speakers -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 22:17:49

• you despise. -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 22:20:28

• Some people's idea of free speech is that they're free to -蓝灵- ♀ 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 22:31:18

• speak, but never let anyone say anything back. (your turn) -蓝灵- ♀ 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 22:32:44

• So they always enjoy their monologues & never enjoy feedback -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 22:35:51

• They must be monologists speaking to no one. -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 22:38:22

• Free speech is not just about speaking (your turn) -蓝灵- ♀ 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 22:40:24

• It is also about listening. -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 22:42:17

• Who said that? -蓝灵- ♀ 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 22:43:55

• Tim Cook, I guess. -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 22:45:09

• Our freedom of speech is freedom or death (your turn) -蓝灵- ♀ 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 22:46:54

• We got to fight the powers that be. Sounds like rap. -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 22:49:06

• You bet. You must be a rap fan. -蓝灵- ♀ 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 22:51:20

• Guilty as charged. Haha! Is it Public Enemy by Chuck D? -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 22:53:54

• Correct. Ready for the next one? -蓝灵- ♀ 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 22:56:50

• Yes, Ma'am! -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 22:58:03

• If you want to overthrow the liberty of a nation, -蓝灵- ♀ 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 22:59:41

• you must begin by denying freedom of speech to everyone -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 23:01:57

• except your good self. -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 23:02:24

• No doubt about it. Good night! -蓝灵- ♀ 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 23:03:59

• Goodnight! -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/17/2023 postreply 23:05:07

• 我对FREE SPEECH的兴趣从到美国几年后逐渐消失 -永远老李- ♂ 给 永远老李 发送悄悄话 (745 bytes) () 12/18/2023 postreply 09:52:30

• 老李啊，书生需要理想和理论，尽管与现实不完全吻合。。。毕竟，这片土地上能说、敢说的地方还是要宽许多。 -唐宋韵- ♂ 给 唐宋韵 发送悄悄话 唐宋韵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/18/2023 postreply 13:01:09

• 是是。我这人觉悟比较低，只是柴米油盐的小农，格局太小 -永远老李- ♂ 给 永远老李 发送悄悄话 (0 bytes) () 12/18/2023 postreply 13:16:22

• 怎样生活，怎样态度，在法治范围內悉听尊便。法，可以改；治，更可以改，并无一尊之说，与墙国迥异。 -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/18/2023 postreply 15:50:26

• 一尊，墙国，法治，人治。。秋兰是中国通！ -盈盈一笑间- ♀ 给 盈盈一笑间 发送悄悄话 盈盈一笑间 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/18/2023 postreply 16:46:53

• 谢谢唐宋君来评。 -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/18/2023 postreply 15:51:54

• 谢谢永远老李！各适其适，民主特色。自由不等于置身法外，而法治跟人治却是两码子的事。目前，还是从人冶国度跑往法治国度者居多 -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/18/2023 postreply 15:43:32

• 北朝鲜脱北者就是生动的例子。 -盈盈一笑间- ♀ 给 盈盈一笑间 发送悄悄话 盈盈一笑间 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/18/2023 postreply 16:45:43

• 我离开人治的地方很长时间了，我呆在法制的地方很长时间了，我目前只关心这法制的地方的事 -永远老李- ♂ 给 永远老李 发送悄悄话 (44 bytes) () 12/18/2023 postreply 17:06:58

• 前几天偶然翻看一下费孝通的《乡土中国》，觉得中国人的乡根特别深。当然，既来之则安之。晚安！ -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/18/2023 postreply 20:19:27

• I have just changed the title of my post which is -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/18/2023 postreply 15:54:37

• meant to be a book review (sort of). -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/18/2023 postreply 15:55:23

• 谢谢秋兰！每周日晚上的读书沙龙如约而来。抱歉昨晚太困了。回个帖，就下线了。：）） -盈盈一笑间- ♀ 给 盈盈一笑间 发送悄悄话 盈盈一笑间 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/18/2023 postreply 16:37:32

• 实在太感谢盈盈了。谈不上沙龙，只不过在帖子上说几句书话而已。晚安！ -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/18/2023 postreply 20:10:16

• 谢谢秋兰！欢迎参加美坛综艺秀假日活动！：）） -梅雨潭- ♂ 给 梅雨潭 发送悄悄话 梅雨潭 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/19/2023 postreply 08:26:22

• 感谢梅雨潭！当然乐意参加活动。 -renqiulan- ♂ 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 12/19/2023 postreply 17:34:36

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