With the ongoing weekly (and mostly time wasting) protests across the nation, and even here in the city of Wichita, the rhetoric seems to be escalating to a level for which we need to ask the serious question: Where is the line drawn on freedom of speech, and advocating for violence?
The past few weeks we’ve seen everything from decapitated Trump heads, to figurines of Trump full of arrows, to signs that say “86-47”. And when questioned on these behaviors, somehow we get criticized for challenging their rights to free speech.
As a conservative talk radio host, my career is literally founded on the concept of expressing my freedom of speech and voicing my opinion on issues. Sometimes those are controversial, and sometimes they are just plain common sense. But out of anyone, I advocate and defend the right to freedom of speech and expression as much as anyone. But I can assure you that through all the years on the air, there has never been even an innuendo of calling for the harm of another human being, because that’s not freedom of speech.
Kash Patel, Director of the FBI, has made the claim that investigations into threats against the President of the United States have increased dramatically over the last couple of weeks due to James Comey “imitators” with the term “86-47”. And while some try to blow off the claim it only references removing someone from an establishment, those in the military know differently, and most Americans are smart enough to read between the lines with the slogan chanted while holding a head dripping in blood. We’re not stupid.
Has there been any physical violence at the protests? No. Has there been any damage to property? No. But that doesn’t matter. In the same manner it is illegal to yell “fire” in a crowded theater, it is illegal, if not at the minimum considered extreme hate speech, to hold a figurine of a person with arrows stuck through the body while chanting to “86” them. Which by the way is insanely ironic coming from the side that wants to cancel and censor anyone they disagree with on social media for spreading “hate speech” because they disagree with whatever is being said.
At the end of the day, I’ve never been one to be on the side of the street protesting. I have better things to do with my life, and we know it never changes anyone’s opinion. I like to actually be productive with the limited time I have. But for everyone that wishes to yell at cars as they drive by, hold signs that look like their 4th grader made them, and think they’re super smart with a clever chant you sing over and over, I say go for it. Let your voice be heard in the echo chamber of those desperate to have some sort of emotional control over the world today. That’s the greatness of this nation to allow you to speak your mind, and no one is taking that away from you. Only in America can you voice your opinion without the government silencing you. That’s why America is amazing.
But once you call for the harm, even in a joking manner, you’ve crossed the threshold of expressing your opinion on policy, and have now called for the harm of another human. Violating that precious God given right of free speech.
Especially when the one you’re calling to harm, has literally had multiple assassination attempts on him, largely due to similar rhetoric we’ve heard for years.
And that’s why it’s essential that local law enforcement should be putting a stop to the protests if it arises, and Secret Service should be investigating anyone holding such signs, chanting such slogans, or calling for the harm of another human being.
Let’s keep it classy America.
