The Trump DOJ goes "woke" and will target free speech.

Say it aint so · 2025-09-16T13:08:18-0500

Head of the DOJ, America's top law enforcement and not just some woke lib:

"There's free speech and then there's hate speech, and there is no place, especially now, especially after what happened to Charlie, in our society," Bondi said.

"Do you see more law enforcement going after these groups who are using hate speech and putting cuffs on people so we show them some action is better than no action?" Miller asked in response.

"We will absolutely target you, go after you, if you are targeting anyone with hate speech -- and that's across the aisle," Bondi responded.

I could have sworn throughout the existence of time the right railed against the idea that a type of speech, not criminal, could itself be a crime. Yes, that speech accompanying a crime can indeed be; but they detest that. Not only that, the other thing the right railed against is cancel culture. Something they are quite actively conducting given universities, law firms, school books, museums, and any other thing they don't like. This is not the "me too" movement where it was the private sector. This is the US government going "me too". Not just canceling, but promising to go after you and jail you (what charges, who knows) for invoking your constitutional right of free speech.

"Hate speech does not exist legally in America. There's ugly speech. There's gross speech. There's evil speech. And ALL of it is protected by the First Amendment,"--Charlie Kirk.

What gives?

Oompa Loompa · 2025-09-16T13:47:05-0500

Terroristic verbal threats is not protected speech. Unless you are saying that fake bomb threats and yelling "fire" in a crowded theater is now protected? Do you not see the difference?

Desk trauma · 2025-09-16T13:48:25-0500

Say it aint so said:
What gives?

Stop assuming any principles exist or any good faith is involved.

CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN · 2025-09-16T13:49:11-0500

Oompa Loompa said:
Terroristic verbal threats is not protected speech. Unless you are saying that fake bomb threats and yelling "fire" in a crowded theater is now protected? Do you not see the difference?

The difference, that I see is Trump and the right can say whatever they want. And the left can't.

Hentenza · 2025-09-16T13:54:11-0500

I wish both sides would just shut up. :yawn:

Nithavela · 2025-09-16T13:56:08-0500

Say it aint so said:
Head of the DOJ, America's top law enforcement and not just some woke lib:

"There's free speech and then there's hate speech, and there is no place, especially now, especially after what happened to Charlie, in our society," Bondi said.

"Do you see more law enforcement going after these groups who are using hate speech and putting cuffs on people so we show them some action is better than no action?" Miller asked in response.

"We will absolutely target you, go after you, if you are targeting anyone with hate speech -- and that's across the aisle," Bondi responded.

I could have sworn throughout the existence of time the right railed against the idea that a type of speech, not criminal, could itself be a crime. Yes, that speech accompanying a crime can indeed be; but they detest that. Not only that, the other thing the right railed against is cancel culture. Something they are quite actively conducting given universities, law firms, school books, museums, and any other thing they don't like. This is not the "me too" movement where is was the private sector. This is the US government going "me too" not just canceling, but promising to go after you and jail you (what charges, who knows) for invoking your constitutional right of free speech.

"Hate speech does not exist legally in America. There's ugly speech. There's gross speech. There's evil speech. And ALL of it is protected by the First Amendment,"--Charlie Kirk.

What gives?

Much like states rights for abortion, it's a grand ideal to strive for until the moment it no longer is useful.

Oompa Loompa · 2025-09-16T14:02:49-0500

CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN said:
The difference, that I see is Trump and the right can say whatever they want. And the left can't.

I truly believe you when you say that is what you see. I am sorry Trump won't allow the left to encourage the murder of conservatives and making assassination death lists on BlueSky. Must be hard.

Say it aint so · 2025-09-16T14:49:35-0500

Oompa Loompa said:
Terroristic verbal threats is not protected speech. Unless you are saying that fake bomb threats and yelling "fire" in a crowded theater is now protected? Do you not see the difference?

Go back and read what she said.

Say it aint so · 2025-09-16T14:50:49-0500

Hentenza said:
I wish both sides would just shut up.

You can't "both sides" this when one of the sides is internet commentators, and the other is not only the government, but law enforcement agencies within that government.

Maria Billingsley · 2025-09-16T15:42:56-0500

Say it aint so said:
Head of the DOJ, America's top law enforcement and not just some woke lib:

"There's free speech and then there's hate speech, and there is no place, especially now, especially after what happened to Charlie, in our society," Bondi said.

"Do you see more law enforcement going after these groups who are using hate speech and putting cuffs on people so we show them some action is better than no action?" Miller asked in response.

"We will absolutely target you, go after you, if you are targeting anyone with hate speech -- and that's across the aisle," Bondi responded.

I could have sworn throughout the existence of time the right railed against the idea that a type of speech, not criminal, could itself be a crime. Yes, that speech accompanying a crime can indeed be; but they detest that. Not only that, the other thing the right railed against is cancel culture. Something they are quite actively conducting given universities, law firms, school books, museums, and any other thing they don't like. This is not the "me too" movement where it was the private sector. This is the US government going "me too". Not just canceling, but promising to go after you and jail you (what charges, who knows) for invoking your constitutional right of free speech.

"Hate speech does not exist legally in America. There's ugly speech. There's gross speech. There's evil speech. And ALL of it is protected by the First Amendment,"--Charlie Kirk.

What gives?

Who spewed hate speech? I am thoroughly confused now what that even means anymore since "what is right is wrong and what is wrong is right." God help us. :sigh:

Oompa Loompa · 2025-09-16T16:11:53-0500

Say it aint so said:
Go back and read what she said.

You are accusing conservatives of being hypocrites on free speech. I am telling you that terroristic threats of violence is not in that category of free speech. There are laws on that and the vast majority of conservatives agree. That is why you get arrested for making fake bomb threats. Have you ever heard of any conservative lawmaker complaining about first amendment rights violations because some prankster was arrested for a fake bomb threat? People get arrested for writing death threat notes to both republican and democrat legislators without a single peep from anyone about free speech violations. Leftists are only shrilling because they have been getting away with it for years and have been emboldened due to lack of accountability and consequences. As a result, Charlie Kirk was killed.

Hentenza · 2025-09-16T16:26:36-0500

Say it aint so said:
You can't "both sides" this when one of the sides is internet commentators, and the other is not only the government, but law enforcement agencies within that government.

I just did.

probinson · 2025-09-16T16:47:02-0500

Say it aint so said:
You can't "both sides" this when one of the sides is internet commentators, and the other is not only the government, but law enforcement agencies within that government.

I've come to the conclusion that MOST people (maybe even the majority) don't really support free speech. They support speech as long as they agree with it and it conforms to their agendas and narratives.

Freedom of speech is hard. A good test to see if you really believe in freedom of speech is to ask yourself if you support the rights of people you vehemently disagree with to say things you find offensive. If your answer is "no", then you don't really support free speech.

For example, I find the posts and videos of people celebrating Kirk's death reprehensible. But because I believe in the importance of free speech, that means I believe they're free to be as callous and deplorable as they choose. In a weird way, I actually appreciate it. It shows me who they really are. A wise (corrected) woman once said, when someone shows you who are, believe them. We saw it during COVID and we're seeing it again right now with Kirk's assassination. Some people are just awful. But so long as they are not actively promoting harm, they can mock and laugh and jeer all they want as far as I'm concerned.

Most people don't feel that way. Once someone says something they find offensive, they'll label it "hate speech" or some such thing. Your quote from Kirk in the OP is apropos and bears repeating.

"Hate speech does not exist legally in America. There's ugly speech. There's gross speech. There's evil speech. And ALL of it is protected by the First Amendment,"--Charlie Kirk.

Say it aint so · 2025-09-16T18:28:33-0500

Oompa Loompa said:
You are accusing conservatives of being hypocrites on free speech. I am telling you that terroristic threats of violence is not in that category of free speech. There are laws on that and the vast majority of conservatives agree. That is why you get arrested for making fake bomb threats. Have you ever heard of any conservative lawmaker complaining about first amendment rights violations because some prankster was arrested for a fake bomb threat? People get arrested for writing death threat notes to both republican and democrat legislators without a single peep from anyone about free speech violations. Leftists are only shrilling because they have been getting away with it for years and have been emboldened due to lack of accountability and consequences. As a result, Charlie Kirk was killed.

She makes no mention of terroristic threats. In fact she had to clarify her statement given the backlash.

Say it aint so · 2025-09-16T18:30:32-0500

Hentenza said:
I just did.

Sadly, you did.

Say it aint so · 2025-09-16T18:33:56-0500

probinson said:
I've come to the conclusion that MOST people (maybe even the majority) don't really support free speech. They support speech as long as they agree with it and it conforms to their agendas and narratives.

Freedom of speech is hard. A good test to see if you really believe in freedom of speech is to ask yourself if you support the rights of people you vehemently disagree with to say things you find offensive. If your answer is "no", then you don't really support free speech.

For example, I find the posts and videos of people celebrating Kirk's death reprehensible. But because I believe in the importance of free speech, that means I believe they're free to be as callous and deplorable as they choose. In a weird way, I actually appreciate it. It shows me who they really are. A wise man once said, when someone shows you who are, believe them. We saw it during COVID and we're seeing it again right now with Kirk's assassination. Some people are just awful. But so long as they are not actively promoting harm, they can mock and laugh and jeer all they want as far as I'm concerned.

Most people don't feel that way. Once someone says something they find offensive, they'll label it "hate speech" or some such thing. Your quote from Kirk in the OP is apropos and bears repeating.

"Hate speech does not exist legally in America. There's ugly speech. There's gross speech. There's evil speech. And ALL of it is protected by the First Amendment,"--Charlie Kirk.

"A wise man once said, when someone shows you who are, believe them." I think that was Maya Angelou

probinson · 2025-09-16T18:36:33-0500

Say it aint so said:
"A wise man once said, when someone shows you who are, believe them." I think that was Maya Angelou

Oops. You are correct. Allow me to amend my previous statement to state, "A wise woman once said, 'When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.'"

Oompa Loompa · 2025-09-16T18:45:23-0500

Say it aint so said:
She makes no mention of terroristic threats. In fact she had to clarify her statement given the backlash.

So where is this targeting of free speech?

ThatRobGuy · 2025-09-16T18:56:14-0500

Say it aint so said:
What gives?

Political retribution.

...not agreeing with it, but not surprised by it either.

If a political faction shows little to no regard for a principle when they have power, but then appear to be shocked and appalled when another faction takes power and employs the same tactics against them (based on a previously mentioned reverence for said principle), I can't say I have a lot of sympathy.

As the old analogy goes "It's like calling for a ceasefire, only after your own gun runs out of bullets"

It's basically two-way hypocrisy.

"We're going to spend 4 years trying to restrict your speech"
(loses power)
"Okay, so now that we're in charge, we're going to dish it right back"
"What happened to all that free speech talk you had a few years ago???"

Say it aint so · 2025-09-16T19:09:48-0500

ThatRobGuy said:
Political retribution.

...not agreeing with it, but not surprised by it either.

If a political faction shows little to no regard for a principle when they have power, but then appear to be shocked and appalled when another faction takes power and employs the same tactics against them (based on a previously mentioned reverence for said principle), I can't say I have a lot of sympathy.

As the old analogy goes "It's like calling for a ceasefire, only after your own gun runs out of bullets"

It's basically two-way hypocrisy.

"We're going to spend 4 years trying to restrict your speech"
(loses power)
"Okay, so now that we're in charge, we're going to dish it right back"
"What happened to all that free speech talk you had a few years ago???"

View attachment 370131

Maybe you can remind me when any other DOJ, other than this one, stating they were going to criminalize free speech?

The Trump DOJ goes "woke" and will target free speech.

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

The pickles are up to something

My dad died 1/12/2023. I'm still devastated.

I will fear no evil for You are with me

you're in charge you can do it just get louis

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

I will fear no evil for You are with me

Legend

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Legend

Well-Known Member

Part of the IT crowd

Well-Known Member

Similar threads