This weekend I wrote a column for the Washington Post on the crackdown of free speech in France. The column suggested that, if the French really wanted to honor the dead at Charlie Hebdo, they would rescind the laws used to hound them and threaten them with criminal prosecution for years. (Indeed, at least one surviving journalist expressed contempt for those who now support free speech but remained silent in the face of past efforts to shut down the magazine). Now, however, news reports indicate that the French government is doubling down on criminalizing speech in the name of free speech after the massacre. France has reportedly made dozens of arrests of people who glorify terrorism and engage in hateful or antiSemitic speech.
Prosecutors have gone out of their way to make it known that they are prosecuting people for speech — a remarkably ironic twist since the victims were prosecuted for the very same thing and died defending free speech against such private or governmental speech codes. Some 54 people have been arrested since the Paris terror attacks. The French justice department has encouraged more arrests for speech violations.
Notably, one of those detained was mentioned in my column, the comedian Dieudonne, who has been prosecuted for anti-Semitic jokes. For earlier posts and columns on Dieudonne, click here and here and here. We have previously discussed the alarming rollback on free speech rights in the West, particularly in France (here and here and here and here and here and here) and England ( here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here). Much of this trend is tied to the expansion of hate speech and non-discrimination laws. We have seen comedians targets with such court orders under this expanding and worrisome trend. (here and here).
The crackdown in France shows that this is really not about free speech despite the rally in Paris. The West seems to be falling out of faith with free speech, which is now something to be prosecuted rather than protected. Of course, the prosecutions will do little to change minds and will only make the West appear hypocritical and arbitrary. Notably, the arrests this week include four minors. The government is also ramping greater surveillance and searches. So, to recap, the French government just rallied millions for liberty this weekend and then used the attacks to further deny free speech and privacy rights.
In the case of Dieudonne, he ran afoul of the laws by posing a Facebook statement that he felt like “Charlie Coulibaly” — merging the names of Charlie Hebdo and Amedy Coulibaly, the gunman who seized a kosher market and killed four hostages. It was later taken down. He later wrote to the Interior Minister that “Whenever I speak, you do not try to understand what I’m trying to say, you do not want to listen to me. You are looking for a pretext to forbid me. You consider me like Amedy Coulibaly when I am not any different from Charlie.”
I’m with olicou.
People should look elsewhere, especially if trying to find national healthcare and other freebies.
Other countries are wa-a-a-ay better.
How does a house built on sand withstand internal combustion?
By not installing an internal combustion engine???
I know….you meant something else but I couldn’t help myself 🙂 I’m a very literal person.
Re: exceptionalism and olicou’s points.
I do have to agree that most cultures feel that theirs is the best and the most unique etc. Understandably so. I, on a personal level, having lived in other countries and experienced other cultures think that the US of A (as we knew it) is/was a pretty exceptional place in regards to safety, opportunity and comparative wealth to the rest of the world.
This doesn’t mean that we can’t or should not look at ourselves dispassionately… beauty marks,warts and all. There are many people, even on this blog, who seem to have nothing good to say about America and find fault everywhere they can. Schools are in the business of indoctrinating children with the negative aspects of America and stressing only the negatives.
There are others who lean in the opposite direction and find NO faults with America.
The truth is somewhere in between.
Canada, for instance, really like it’s freedom and also its healthcare. Very idealistic for sure.
“it’s a nation that defines itself in terms of its political principles rather than any particularities of culture or genetics.”
Then, how is it different from other immigrant countries such as Australia, Canada and NZ?
Check the work of Richard Layard at LSE.
Just caught a glimpse of this, and will reply quickly.
I’ve read it. I’m also aware of persuasive critiques of it.
I think Italian cuisine is exceptional. I think Scottish golf is exceptional.
What is exceptional about the US, I think, is something qualitatively different: that, more than any other I’m aware of, it’s a nation that defines itself in terms of its political principles rather than any particularities of culture or genetics.
In principle, it’s a dedication to individual liberty that is, I think, objectively exceptional. Now that’s not everyone’s cup of tea, so “exceptionalism” doesn’t equate with “most desirable on any criterion”.
We are viewed as a highly materialist people, but in fact I think we are exceptionally idealistic. It leads us into all kinds of trouble sometimes, but that’s usually b/c the rest of the world doesn’t share our ideals to the same degree.
Anyway, that’s my view. Now it’s time to get back to work.
Chip “olicou, most people care about their income levels, not their relative standing in the distribution.”
In fact, not really. Check the work of Richard Layard at LSE. Economical Happiness is a relative thing.
olicou – most people consider the LSE to be on the same level as the University of Phoenix.
olicou, most people care about their income levels, not their relative standing in the distribution.
You’re confusing policy wonks’ obsession w/ the distribution of income and ordinary people’s interest in it. Among most Americans, concern about inequality (as opposed to poverty) is nil.
That lack of envy is part of what “AE” means, IMO.
Chip: I guess Exceptionalism can mean that it’s just different without any negative or positive bias. In that case, any country is “different” in some way and therefore exceptional. Italy has exceptional pasta and UK exceptional oasis for Rock groups.
However, I don’t think it is used, by some commenters, as an unbiased statement. The concept of “City upon a Hill” is very biased, claiming that USA has exceptional freedom and other positive qualities. I am saying that, today, many countries can claim to be equal or better than USA in several rankings and even composite rankings do not favor the USA particularly.
Nick, or they can head to Venezuela.
The newest socialist utopia.
But bring your own toilet paper. They’re running a bit short.
ChipS, I have watched the first 4 episodes, based on your suggestion, and LOVE IT. My problem is my bride does not, so I need to watch it when she’s not watching TV. I love the cab driver.
Pogo, We definitely need to put olicou on Central American blogs and journals telling them not to come to the US, but Norway!
One of my favorite commentaries on Americans vs. the Scandis is the first season of “Lillyhammer”.
Chip – if you have been following this season of Lillyhammer you will see who is really running that country. 😉
olicou, I just thanked ChipS for being a voice of reason. I have enough real self esteem to be able to admit when I overreact. And, ChipS is my mentor in that regard. Be careful trying to debate him. He’s smarter than just about anyone out there. Not as smart as a Yalie, but not bad for a Crimson.
Or the UK.
Not much of a dental plan there, but loads of freebies.
Exceptional freebies.
Yes, olicou, please please spread the word.
Go to Italy or Sweden, all you huddled masses yearning for free stuff.
Tell them we’re all just to chicken to leave. And average.
Not exceptional in any way.
So, Italy, right?
Yeah, go there.
ChipS, You are a voice of reason. But, I still would like he/she/transgender to shout from the rooftops to all Mideast and 3rd world citizens that Europe, particularly Scandinavia, is where they want to live.
“Hmmm, lutefisk.” Homer Simpson
If you consider somebody that says that America is just average a USA-hater, then you are overly sensitive. I don’t hate anybody, but I don’t consider that any country should perceive itself as the best in the world when it’s not, by any measure. It’s just false.
Chip… yes, simply because USA has a higher income inequality.
olicou wrote: “I don’t consider that any country should perceive itself as the best in the world when it’s not, by any measure. It’s just false.”
No, what is just false is your claim that the USA is not best in the world BY ANY MEASURE. We have the largest economy in the world. There are other measures too, but I just point out one measure to show your statement to be in error.
😀
olicou, Please pass the word to all 3rd world countries that the US is just average @ best. Tell them they want to migrate to Europe, not the US. Please, we’ll finance your ad campaign. Tell them US SUCKS! Please, and thank you.