Freedom of Speech embodies the concept that open dialog and discussion will reveal the good ideas and destroy the bad ideas. The concept is that lies, deceptions and plain bad ideas cannot survive the scrutiny of uncensored discussion.
What most people do not realize is that the Second Amendment is an even stronger support of this concept. Folks seems to think that the 2A is all about what happens when discussion breaks down or that it allows people to ignore the result of discussion and impose their will regardless. But this could not be further from the truth. If in times of peace I advocate everyone arming themselves, then I have to assume that when the time of peace comes to an end that everyone, including my enemies, will be armed. Supporting the 2A is a de facto assertion that you think your ideas and principals can survive scrutiny. Support of the 2A as a protection against tyranny is only logical if you believe that more people will take up arms in support of YOUR cause as apposed to the cause of your enemy. Hearts and minds must be won before battles and revolutions can be won. The 2A is the ultimate expression of democratic ideals. It is Power to the People is a way that terrifies real socialists, communists and fascists alike.
The correlative rule is that those that would seek to destroy free speech and the 2A do so because they know that their cause and ideals are a lie.
I'm 100% with you, I believe people should argue their ideas and knowing you can't just shoot your political opponents without risking yourself makes for pretty good conditions for debate.
If you seek to destroy the first or second you know your ideas are a lie.
(post is archived)