My post this morning about the shocking speech by John Kerry, which echoes current political argument challenging free speech, and attacking the First Amendment to the Constitution, brought to mind the wonderful movie, A Man For All Seasons. Thomas More defied attacks on the law by his King, his family, and Parliament. The Devil speech from the movie is the best defense of the law and free speech I have heard. Free speech must be tolerated unless it violates the law against advocacy of violence. If men are to be free, they must be free to say whatever they wish. If we restrict that right for political expediency, we are no longer free. That is not difficult to understand. Watch this clip. It is also the reason why we give criminals the same rights to a free and fair trial as anyone else. It is the reason why lawyers who defend criminals are patriots.
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