Freedom of Speech - Akira the Don, Noam Chomsky

I don’t mind the denunciations frankly

I mind the lies

Well, I mean intellectuals are very good at lying

They’re professionals at it

They have wonderful technique

There’s no way of responding to it

If somebody calls you, you know, an antisemite

What can you say?

«I'm not an antisemite?»

Somebody says you’re, you’re a racist, you’re Nazi or something this

You always lose

I mean

The person who throws the mud always wins

Because there’s no way of responding to such charges

Freedom of speech

Freedom of speech

Freedom of speech

Freedom of speech

I do not think that the state ought to have the right to determine historical

truths

And to punish people who deviate from them

I’m not willing to give the state that right

Even if they happen to fall

«Are you denying that gas chambers ever…»

Course not

But I’m saying if you believe in freedom of speech

You believe in freedom of speech for views you don’t like

I mean, Goebbels was in favor of freedom of speech for views he liked

Right?

So was Stalin

If you’re in favor of freedom of speech

That means you’re in favor of freedom of speech

Precisely for views, you despise

Otherwise, you’re not in favor of freedom of speech

Otherwise, you’re not in favor of freedom of speech

There’s two positions you can have on freedom of speech

And you can decide which position you want

Freedom of speech

Freedom of speech

Freedom of speech

Freedom of speech

With regard to my defense of

The utterly offensive

The people who express utterly offensive views

I haven’t the slightest doubt that every commissar says

«You're defending that person’s views»

No, I’m not

No, I’m not

I’m defending his right to express them

And the difference is crucial

And the difference has been understood

Outside of fascist circles

Since the 18th century

If you’re in favor of freedom of speech

That means you’re in favor of freedom of speech

Precisely for views, you despise

Otherwise, you’re not in favor of freedom of speech

And you can decide which position you want

Freedom of speech

Freedom of speech

Freedom of speech

Freedom of speech

Freedom of speech

You’re in favor of freedom of speech

That means precisely for views you despise

Freedom of speech

Otherwise you’re not in favor of freedom of speech

Otherwise you’re not in favor of freedom of speech

Freedom of speech

You’re in favor of freedom of speech

That means precisely for views you despise

Freedom of speech

Otherwise you’re not in favor of freedom of speech

And you can decide which position you want

The language you use has meaning!

The language you use has meaning!

That’s right

The language you use has meaning!

The language you use has meaning!

That’s right

That’s right