Blue Crab Boulevard

The Sounds Of Silencing

That's the title of Peggy Noonan's column in the Opinion Journal today. She describes four incidents that have happened in the last ten days where those on the left have silenced opposition speech. Most of those incidents were covered by posts here in the Crabitat. Noonan talks about the budding young storm troopers at Columbia University, the CBS News "Free Speech" segment that featured the father of one of the children murdered at Columbine, Barbara Streisand's screamed curse at a heckler and Rosie O'Donnell berating a fellow panelist on ABC's The View for daring to disagree with Rosie's pontifications on gun control. In each case, opposing views were not just questioned, they were silenced. It seems that only the left is allowed to dissent.

There's a pattern here, isn't there?

It is not only about rage and resentment, and how some have come to see them as virtues, as an emblem of rightness. I feel so much, therefore my views are correct and must prevail. It is about something so obvious it is almost embarrassing to state. Free speech means hearing things you like and agree with, and it means allowing others to speak whose views you do not like or agree with. This–listening to the other person with respect and forbearance, and with an acceptance of human diversity–is the price we pay for living in a great democracy. And it is a really low price for such a great thing.

We all know this, at least in the abstract. Why are so many forgetting it in the particular?

Let us be more pointed. Students, stars, media movers, academics: They are always saying they want debate, but they don't. They want their vision imposed. They want to win. And if the win doesn't come quickly, they'll rush the stage, curse you out, attempt to intimidate.

And they don't always recognize themselves to be bullying. So full of their righteousness are they that they have lost the ability to judge themselves and their manner.

When too many on the left disagree with someone else's point of view the response is to shut that viewpoint down. Whether it is by storming the stage or by tearing up displays they disagree with, the response is swift, overbearing intimidation. Enlisting informants to lodge complaints against speech you don't like is becoming popular in some places. All of this is leading to a bad destination, but the people denying others the right to speak do not understand what the outcome will be. For one day, they will reap the whirlwind they have sown. One day they will be silenced. How's that old song by Simon and Garfunkle start? "Hello Darkness my old friend"…

UPDATE: Others: Dr. Sanity (H/T Dave In Boca for the link), Tigerhawk, Sister Toldjah, Gateway Pundit, Daimnation, NewsBusters, The Remedy, Flopping Aces, One Hand Clapping, Wizbang,

Left Wing | Gaius Friday, 13 October , 2006

By syn, Friday, 13 October , 2006 @ 8:03 am

Who in another post was saying that the Left has no power?
By syn, Friday, 13 October , 2006 @ 8:09 am

Socialist poet Percy Shelley stated “the poet is the unacknowledged legislator” and never has this statement been more appropriate than seen in events today.

The Left lives by John Lennon’s “Imagine” One Collective World religion.
By Kathy, Friday, 13 October , 2006 @ 9:05 am

These are prominent examples of the left’s intolerance, but you can walk in almost any college classroom any day of the week and be met with more than intimidation for conservative views.

Conservatives must regurgitate the liberal garbage to make passing grades and put up with illogical economic arguments, distorted historical discussions, and liberal dogma even in math class.

You don’t have to go to college - stay in high school - it happens there too.

It’s nothing short of endoctrination.
By Dan, Friday, 13 October , 2006 @ 9:18 am

“Cut their mikes. Cut ‘em. Cut ‘em off.”

Any idea who that is?
By syn, Friday, 13 October , 2006 @ 10:42 am

“one day they will be silenced”

Left and their concept of free speech reminds me of their concept of ending poverty for all by ridding society of the ‘unwanteds’, the Left will eventually abort themselves out of existence.
By daveinboca, Friday, 13 October , 2006 @ 11:55 am

No matter how much lipstick you put on O’Donnell and Streisand……….

Dr. Sanity has some interesting psychological thoughts on these narcissistic solipsistic self-absorbed witless, clueless fools on the far left addicted to their own solecisms. My personal take is that they are victims of mass psychosis.