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The above is what we would be able to publish in The Price of Liberty if too many people “left” and “right” in these States and the world have their way. If their effort to totally trash free speech succeeds. Even if there is a partial success on the part of these nannies.

It is obvious that (together with the right of self-defense and to defend others) the right of free speech, was given as part of the gift of freedom, of free will, by the Creator. It is equally obvious that there are many, many people that seek to trash that right. To ban many forms of speech. To punish people for saying things that the powers-that-be (or any loud-mouthed Mrs. Grundy) don’t like to hear.

Meanwhile, whether you call them “fake news” or “inaccuracies” or what they are (just plain LIES), some speech continues to be propagated more and more. It is, of course, propaganda. Military, political, financial, medical, social, religious: a never-ending flow of lies.

A wise man warned us about this: ““The time will come when men will not put up with sound words. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” Too many people don’t want to hear a true message: they want a massage.

“Itching ears” is a figure of speech that refers to people’s desires, felt needs, or wants. It is these desires that impel a person to believe whatever he wants to believe rather than the actual truth itself. When people have “itching ears,” they decide for themselves what is right or wrong, and they seek out others to support their notions. “Itching ears” are concerned with what feels good or comfortable, not with the truth—after all, truth is often uncomfortable.

And therefore, unwanted.

The entire spectrum of political views does this – yes, even libertarians. But the greatest offenders in this are the old political parties and those who have, demand, and expect more and more power over their fellow citizens. And the rest of the world.

We see this in every significant issue being debated (and fought) in the States today. Not just self-defense and gun rights. Not just abortion of children. Not just the latest uptick in COVID-19 deaths. Not just the matter of transgenderism, or homosexual “marriage” or school defense. Or over the war between Russia and Ukraine. In every case, too many people holding all the various positions want to suppress the speech and writing of those they oppose.

The worst this gets, the more society courts disaster. Yes, “sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me.” Except that constant lies and protests of lies, as anger grows and tempers fray, all too often lead from words TO “sticks and stones” – or clubs and bullets.

It is not just the obvious lies, the exaggerations, and the withholding of facts that are part of the attack on free speech. It includes the constant attempt to redefine words. This vocabulary manipulation is intended to let various groups change the traditional meaning of words. This is primarily to fit their political agenda. They co-opt the meaning of words. Why? To deceive the uninformed, uneducated, inattentive, and apathetic public. This is not a new concept: they have all been doing it for decades. It has, however, become a more prominent tactic of the political extremes in recent years.

It is corrosive, especially when they work hard to demean and silence those who call them to account.

We will continue to fight it.