Columns, Free Speech, International

The American Moment: Critics Prove Vance’s Point on the Threat of the Anti-Free Speech Movement

Below is my column in the New York Post on the unhinged response to Vice President J.D. Vance’s historic defense of free speech in Europe. The chorus of criticism from press and pundits was immediate. Literally speaking through tears, German diplomat Christoph Heusgen responded to VP Vance: “It is clear that our rules-based international order is under pressure. It is my strong belief that this more multipolar world needs to be based on a single set of norms and principles.” Indeed, it is and that is a good thing. Vance was speaking truth to transnationalists who view free speech as a threat to the “international order” that they maintain. The response from the American left was even more bizarre. Not only did CBS’s Margaret Brennan suggest that free speech caused the holocaust, but Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) said that Vance, in defending free speech, used “some of the same language that Hitler used to justify the Holocaust.”

Here is the column:

On Friday, Vice President JD Vance gave a historic defense of free speech at the Munich Security Conference. In front of a clearly hostile assemblage of European diplomats, Vance confronted our allies with their systemic censorship as they demanded more support to “defend democracy.”

For the free speech community, it was akin to Ronald Reagan’s call: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

Vance questioned how our allies could claim to be the bastions of freedom while denying free expression to their citizens.

He then delivered this haymaker: “If you are running in fear of your own voters, there is nothing America can do for you. Nor, for that matter, is there anything that you can do for the American people that elected me and elected President Trump.”

Not surprisingly, the Europeans sat on their hands while glaring at Vance for calling them out for their hypocrisy. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius declared Vance’s remarks were “not acceptable.” An unnamed German official in attendance declared, “This is all so insane and worrying.”

The outrage of the Europeans was only surpassed by our own anti-free speech voices in government, the media and academia.

Commentator and CNN regular Bill Kristol called the speech “a humiliation for the US and a confirmation that this administration isn’t on the side of the democracies.”

It appears that free speech is no longer viewed as pro-democracy.

Indeed, it could be outright fascism.

In one of the most bizarre attacks, CBS anchor Margaret Brennan confronted Secretary of State Marco Rubio over Vance’s support for free speech given the fact that he was “standing in a country where free speech was weaponized to conduct a genocide.”

In other words, it was free speech that brought Hitler to power and caused the Holocaust.

Brennan’s statement is completely detached from history and logic.

Germans did enjoy free speech protections after World War I, though the Weimar Constitution was more limited than the First Amendment. However, one of the first things that the Nazis did in coming to power in 1933 was to crack down on free speech and criminalize dissent. Censorship is the harbinger of authoritarianism and Germany is the ultimate example of how no censorship system in history has ever succeeded in killing one idea or stopping a single movement.

Brennan could not have picked a better country to utterly destroy the point that she was trying to make in favor of limits on free speech.

Germany continued to censor and criminalize speech after World War II, targeting the neo-Nazi movement and other prohibited viewpoints.

Authorities charged citizens for everything from wine labels to ringtones with banned content. The government has sought to force figures like X owner Elon Musk to censor Americans and others to combat anything that it deems “fake news” or “disinformation.”

Of course, Germany’s massive censorship effort has done little to deter the thriving neo-Nazi movement. What it has done is chill the speech of ordinary citizens. One poll of German citizens found that only 18% of Germans feel free to express their opinions in public. Only 17% felt free to express themselves on the internet.

Other nations joined in the harrumphs with equally disingenuous statements, including the United Kingdom. British diplomats expressed shock despite their systemic suppression of free speech, including arresting citizens for simply praying to themselves near abortion clinics.

The British have doubled down on censorship with sweeping new laws. Hundreds have been arrested recently for speech crimes like spreading “fake news” or disinformation that could lead to “non-trivial psychological or physical harm.”

Previously, British citizens were arrested for criticizing religious groups or opposing homosexuality or immigration. In one case, Nicholas Brock, 52, was convicted of a thought crime.

The neo-Nazi was given a four-year sentence for what the court called his “toxic ideology” based on the contents of the home he shared with his mother in Maidenhead, Berkshire.

In 1963, John F. Kennedy went to Germany to declare “Ich bin ein Berliner” to express solidarity with those who were fighting for the right to live and speak freely behind the Iron Curtain.

More than 60 years later, Vance returned to essentially declare “Ich bin ein Amerikanischer,” affirming our commitment to a right that not only defines the United States, but once defined Western civilization. He argued that if we are to defeat our foreign adversaries, we must first protect those rights that distinguish us from them.

The response of our press and pundits only proved Vance’s point. We have returned to the moment described by Tom Paine during our Revolution, a time that would “try men’s souls.”

Those opposing free speech today are like “the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot” who, Paine warned, would “shrink” from the defense of our values.

The anti-free speech movement that has swept over Europe has finally reached our shores.

Vance drew a bright line in Europe and we will all have to decide on which side to stand. Some obviously have made the decision to stand with Europe.

For the rest of us, we will stand with free speech.

Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro professor of public interest law at George Washington University and the author of “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.”

242 thoughts on “The American Moment: Critics Prove Vance’s Point on the Threat of the Anti-Free Speech Movement”

  1. Professor,
    One of the early warning signs of erosion of free speech became noticeable when the ACLU transformed from a universal defender of speech to a selective enforcer of agreeable speech. The new European criminal enforcement of an amorphous standard of violative speech will end badly. Thought suppression and monolithic discourse is stifling the human spirit. Today’s ideas are tomorrow’s crimes. What could possibly go wrong?

  2. The Euro Elite, Globalist, Control crowd are in shear Panic after VP JD Vance speech. The EU is on the decline, will much smaller as time passes, countries to leave. BRICS is a much better opportunity going forward. Can see a # of former EU Countries joining BRICS such as Hungry etc. Even the Turks are joining. Come next week, there is going to mass Panic due to German Elections AFD? Macron is in trouble etc. Davos Elite/Schuab are in Panic, their dream. Control by the Elite is crumbling fast, mainly due to Pres. Trump’s election

  3. Most of these people are completely ignorant of history or know they’re lying. Rubio should have asked Brennan while on air “Margaret please tell your listeners who Sophie Magdalena Scholl is and her role in Free Speech in Germany”.

    I recall from the first day of school how our teachers always impressed on us the importance of Free Speech. Most readers here probably recall having an after school Debate Club to exercise your ability to openly express yourself on topics. Ultimately it will be up to the people to rise up to preserve their rights as many freedom fighters in Europe have done in the past.

  4. “. . . our rules-based international order . . .”

    Translated into English:

    We, the Philosopher Kings, rule you. You will obey our orders, wherever you are. Or else.

    Germany has learned nothing from its history.

    1. Germany has learned nothing? Really? What have they not learned? Explain yourself.
      Platitudes galore on this blog folks.

      1. “Explain yourself.”

        Happily.

        In a 10,000-word essay, at $2/word. Venmo accepted.

        P.S. It’s called a blog comment, not an academic treatise.

        1. So avoid explaining yourself with an insult eh? Typical. Its because you can’t get past 20 words. You can’t, you spew garbage.

          1. Anonymous 8/14am, 8:24am
            The king of insults who rarely if ever makes any sort of salutary comment or addition to this column. A back bencher who just screeches periodically and is then passed over. Move along. Nothing to see here

      3. It seems that they have not learned that suppressing freedom of thought and freedom of speech and the press, is not the mark of a free society. It is instead one of the first steps toward totalitarianism.

  5. “historic defense of free speech”! How can Vance credibly defend free speech when the Trump-Vance administration is stifling free speech in the US? Turley hasn’t yet written an article about Trump’s Executive Order 13899 giving the DOJ the green light to go after protesters who just happen to think that the ethnic cleansing and genocide of the Palestinians is a horrific crime. Where’s “free speech” when it comes to criticizing Israel?

    1. That EO was issued in 2019 (Trump/Pence) to enforce Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Biden/Harris took the opposite approach. Less than a month in office, surely you have the evidence to prove the Trump/Vance administration is pushing the DOJ to go after protestors for just “thinking” something.

    2. Gio, there is plenty of “free speech” for criticizing Israel. But there is no room on a college campus for harassing or bullying fellow students, blocking buildings, or damaging property.

    4. You just demonstrated it on this column. I think the DOJ will go after those who think intimidation and preventing others from speaking is a sort of perverted free speech. You have about as much sense as Margaret Brennan of CBS

    5. GeoCom claims the ‘Trump-Vance administration is stifling free speech,’ yet he is freely making that very claim without consequence. That alone disproves his point. Furthermore, the assertion of ‘genocide’ against Palestinians is misinformation—there is no evidence supporting it under the legal definition of genocide. If you actually believed in debate and facts, you would engage with the substance of the executive order rather than resorting to hyperbole. But you won’t, because you can’t.

  6. The actual threat to Democracy is a Vice President Vance clear articulated is the “Global” order. It is in fact what President Reagan warned about, the spread of Communism. It is not the Russian Communism of the 1950’s and 1960’s. It is the WEF Communism of 2019. The One World Order that President Obama spoke of in 2012. Globalism is Communism under another word. After what we witnessed and lived through during the Fauci era of Global control under the guise of a pathogen was the test run of Control of everything America stands for. Fear breeds bizarre behavior. You are seeing the Fear of those that advocate Citizen Control and Global Order……..”There is a line they must not cross”.

  7. “Furthermore, the MAGA base doesn’t seem to be making a distinction between Covid and other vaccines, and, again, RFK — whose anti-vax proselytizing helped fuel a measles outbreak in Samoa that infected 5700 people and killed 83, mostly children — is in charge of HHS.”

    You read that right, RJK Jr helped kill 83 Samoan’s with his anti Vax message. Now he is in charge of HHS, and we have a measles outbreak in Texas. Two months ago there was a Whooping Cough outbreak in Idaho.

    Go ahead MAGA, kill yourself with your stupidity.

    1. Actually, you’re more likely to kill your kids since if you are over age 30 or so, you are mostly likely vaccinated. Good going, your kids are going to love you for getting them sick, naturally. I guess that is the best way to get a preventable disease, naturally right?

    2. While I share some concerns about RFK’s role as His Secretary, I also believe it’s disingenuous to blame him for problems occurring prior to, or within a few days of his appointment – especially problems which, in some cases, can be laid at the feet of the previous Administration’s open border policy.

      1. I did not say he was responsible for the Texas measles outbreak. He does own culpability for the deaths of Samoans. Look it up. He is part of the reason so many did not vaccinate. RJK Jr is part of a cult that is spreading falsehoods about vaccines, People hear that message and make decisions. So yes, he is part of a larger problem that does not believe in science.

        So to those who are vaccine skeptics, go ahead, don’t vaccinate your kids. when they get sick and need hospitalization, keep them home. Live, die, no big deal, you chose, you reap the fruits of your choice.

        1. Look it up. You fvcking moron.

          You people believe anything you read in wikipedia or Vox. Those reports SPECULATE on why he went to Samoa. He spoke tonthe gov’t. The gov’t didnt stop vaccinating. The PEOPLE decided to not vaccinate.

          83 deaths in 5700 cases, are you stupid???

          The fatality rate of measles is 3 in 1000 WORST CASE.

          Those people did not all die of measles. That is an obvious lie.

          Get a grip.

        2. “I did not say he was responsible for the Texas measles outbreak. ”
          You implied it – which was a CLEAR lie.

          “He does own culpability for the deaths of Samoans. Look it up. ”
          I have you are wrong. In the case of Samoa your error is WORSE than TX – atleast in TX people had heard of him.

          RFK Jr. had little influence on Samoans – who like myriads of minorities were highly skeptical of White Doctors with a long history of experimenting on them. Further Measles was unheard of in Samoa (and much of the rest of the pacific) – until suddenly it wasn’t.

          “RJK Jr is part of a cult that is spreading falsehoods about vaccines”
          That you can spray such stupidity means you know NOTHING about RFK jr.

          He is not and never has been an Anti-Vaxer. What he ALWAYS has been is opposed to blindly imposing one size fits all approaches to everyone. He has advocated for improving the safety of our medicines – particularly vaccines that we FORCE on everyone.

          “People hear that message and make decisions.”
          People who actually hear his message tend to make wise decisions.

          Attributing every bad decision that anyone has made to him merely means you have no clue what he has actually said.

          “So yes, he is part of a larger problem that does not believe in science.”
          The moment you use the word beleive and science in the same sentence – you lose the argument.
          Science is not about beleif. Anyone who “beleives in science” is part of a cult.
          Science is litterally what we can PROVE – you are not required to beleive in it.

          Most of us do NOT beleive in science – though we greatly value real science – that has been PROVEN.

          Wise people have questioned the BELEIF in science – especially given our long history of abusing science.

          The people like YOU – the CULT of science, are those that gave us the tuskeegee experiments that have many black people with good reason mistrusting doctors. The mess you described in Samao had far more to do with centuries of Racism and unethical experimentation on minorities than on RFK jr.

          Before you rant about “beleif” you should have some clue what you are talking about.

          My daugther was adopted from China. She received many vaccines in Chinese orphanages – but we did not get records.

          It is Dangerous to give SOME vaccines twice to young kids. We had to fight to get her tested to see which vaccines she had already received. Many doctors wished to just revaccinate her for everything – which is dangerous.

          Worse still – she received the BGE TB vaccine in China. This is a common vaccine against TB in much of the world.
          It is not used in the US. If you were vaccinated with BGE and you are later TB tested – each TB test will provoke a greater and greater reaction until you finally test positive. When seeking to be an EMT my daughter was tested for TB and tested positive.
          Absoltely EVERYONE knew it was a false positive – as she had received the BGE vaccine. Yet the STate was called in and they were going to put her on 9 months of powerful antibiotics that were going to make her sick and lkock her up if she refused to take them – because that was the standard response to testing possitive. We nearly had to go to court to get a different form of TB test done that is not fooled bythe BGE vaccine, before the state backed down. 20 years ago even that would not have been possible as it would not have been possible for us to PRIVATELY pay for and order a medical test.

          Those of you who “beleive” in Science – are the religious lunatics that are dangerous.

          Science is NOT about beleif.

          It is because of people like Kennedy that we have choices today. It is because of them that I can ask for and pay for myself a wide variety of medical tests without the need for an order from a doctor.

          RFK Jr. is not the problem – YOU members of the CULT of science – as opposed to REAL science are the problem.

          We saw that with Covid – where “experts” made up “science” and then tried to foist it on all of us.

          When we needed useful and TRUE information on Covid – what we got was LIES.

          AS to your nonsense about unvaccinated kids – we quarantine people who get contageous diseases.
          That has been true for more than a century. It is very effective. It is also the law.

          With respect to MANY dangerous childhood diseases – they have been sufficiently eradicaed in the US and sometimes the world, that it is no longer worth the risk to vaccinate.

          No one gets vaccinated against small pox anymore.

          It is increasingly questionable whether people should be vaccinated against polio – as a small number of people get Polio from the vaccine itself and polio has otherwise been nearly eradicated globally.

          I know this is hard for you cult of science members, but in the real world your Beleifs do not hold up.

          All vaccines are a risk benefit analysis. What are the risks of the vaccine – NOT vaccine, no medicine is risk free, vs what are the realistic risks of the disease itself.

          The most obvious example which everyone has had to deal with recently is that if you were over 70 – you should have gotten the Covid vaccine, the risk of death from Covid was much higher than the risk of death or serious harm from the vaccine.
          Conversly if you were under 20 and did NOT have serious comorbidities you absolutely should NOT have gotten the covid vaccine.
          The risk of death from the vaccine was greater than the risk of death from the disease.

          If you were between 20 and 70 – you had to do a PERSONAL risk/benefit analysis.
          That is REAL science.

          That is not “Beleif”.

          1. Look up the death rate from COVID between republican counties and democrat leaning counties. A statistically meaningful difference where Red counties see people dying from preventable disease and blue leaning counties with fewer deaths. Go ahead, please, if you are MAGA, do not vaccinate yourself or your kids. It will be a slow process but you will die off younger than the general population and the rest of can then get on with a good life when you all kill yourself with your stupidity.

          3. “Those of you who “beleive” in Science – are the religious lunatics…” Amen to that, John. Amen.

            1. Science is nothing more than a protocol. When you look at the directions for replacing a gas nozzle on a wall heater… that’s science. Someone has laid out the facts and steps which lead to a successful nozzle replacement. At some point someone may improve on that. Did make the previous protocol WRONG? Is the previous protocol a LIE? No. Knowledge has been advanced. When a cancer researcher discovers novel immune characteristics of a gene therapy which works better, does it render the past therapy a LIE? No. None of this is anything to be “believed in.” Only the dumbest of the dumb run around calling factfinding a belief system. But here’s some royal bullsh!t belief: someone died so that you can go to a mythical place when you die.

          4. John Say,
            Great comment. Very interesting about your daughter testing positive.

          5. John Say-Actually the BCG is the correct TB vaccine but you are correct about the rest. That false positive test is the main reason it is not used in the US and it caused many people to get courses of drugs that they never needed. Having been a pulmonary specialist and in a Tb clinics in Houston and Indiana, it truly was a pain in the butt to decide whether to do treatment prophylaxis or do a more extensive work up to prove they did not have active Tb. Alternative tests came later. But everything else you said about TB was correct.
            Well said

          6. John, I agree 100% with what you write, but please, learn how to spell “believe”.

          7. Bravo, Mr. Say!

            I’m so sorry for all the trouble you and your daughter were put through.

          8. #74. Is that what happened to me? The TB response was the size of an orange! I did not have TB. scary

    3. Good lord, another anointed apostle of the liberal cult. Give this one a cross so it can crucify itself.

      1. This libtard thinks its not possible that big pharma would plant an outbreak in a region it knows has low vaccine rates.

        The ends justify the means.

        2. This Trumptard thinks everything they don’t like evil, corrupt and a lie, and every opinion they hold is fact and the truth.

    4. No RFK Jr. had nothing to do with the mess in Samoa – bad US policy did.
      Regardless, RFK Jr. was a Democrat at the time.

      Finally – I do not agree with RFK Jr. 100% on everything – but I absolutely agree with him on one thing. FREEDOM.

      One size fits all solutions DO NOT WORK.

      Vaccines are on the whole a GOOD thing. But ALL vaccines are not equal, and the risks for ALL people from a vaccine are not the same.

      Under absolutely no circumstances should the Covid vaccine been forced on school kids. It has FAR to high an adverse reaction rate and does negligable good for those under 20. Not one single person under 20 died of Covid in the US that did not have VERY SERIOUS comorbidities – and even those with serious other problems – nearly all survived. Conversely Covid killed 1 in 3 people over 80- that were infected.

      As a result of Kennedy it is now possible to get the MMR vaccine as separate Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccines. There is evidence that the combined vaccine is dangerous for SOME kids.

      As a result of Kennedy it is also possible to get the MMR and other vaccines without thimerisol. Thimerisol is a mercury compount and there is no good reason to ever be injecting people with mercury. The studies on the overall risk of Thimerisol are inconclusive. It is possible that the risk is extremely low.

      Kennedy’s most important influence is that Parents have choices now they did not have before.

      One size does NOT fit all.

      I absolutely completely support the right of parents and ordinary people to make the final decisions on their own healthcare – even decisions I do not agree with, even decisions that the “Experts” think are wrong.

      You rant about Samoa – oblivious to the fact that RFK jr. had absolutely no influence on anything in Samoa.

      But you miss the FACT that individuals free to make choices on their own WILL make mistakes.
      But Experts will also make mistakes.

      The difference is that the mistakes of individuals only harm themselves.

      While the mistakes of experts F#$K over everyone.

      WE have a generation of kids that are a full year behind on their education and likely never will catch up.
      That is not RFK jr’s fault. That is not the fault of individual free choice, that is not the fault of parents.
      That is the fault of “experts”.

      1. What the fvck has US policy to do with Samoa?

        You do know the difference between Samoa and American Samoa, right?

        1. Sorry – I should have been clearer – not US Policy – but White Western Medical policy imposed on the third world.

          As to YOU – ARE YOU A FVCKing MORON ?
          Yes I am aware of the difference between american Samoa and the several other near by pacific island nations that had a measles outbreak in 2019.

          Does that even slightly change the disasterous history of Western Medicine with respect to non-whites ?

          Pacific islanders and many many others have excellent reason not to trust western medicine.

          And it is precisiely your ONE SIZE FITS ALL as well as your medical experimentation, and blind faith in science – which is an incredible oxmoron – anyone who claims to “beleive” in science, has rejected the central premise of science – that science is what you can PROVE

          1. Easy Johnny. I didnt disagree with anything else you said.

            Thanks for correcting yourself.

  8. Vance returned to essentially declare “Ich bin ein Amerikanischer,” affirming our commitment to a right that not only defines the United States, but once defined Western civilization.

    How many other countries included in that Western civilization pot were founded with the same free speech philosophy as the United States? In Europe the answer is zero. That means our historical Western civilization commitment to that right is not the same as theirs.

    We can source ours to a beginning and our constitution locked in that starting point. In other words, we’re anchored. We’ve swung at anchor, in all directions, but we haven’t dragged it. Europeans have never been anchored in it. So their historical commitment is actuall regime dependent. That being said, there is a limit to how much a regime can infringe this natural right. The People will only tolerate so much before they act. Hopefully, as we swing back towards our origin, we can inspire our Western allies to restore their commitment to this natural right.

  9. Actually, one could argie that it was the UK’s Appeasement policy of restricting the press to avoid “offending Hitler” that really propelled the holocaust.

  11. Ah the ILLUMINATI LIVE!!!! All of the rest of us are just the Great (loose term) Unwashed Filth that cannot possibly understand the Grand Plan our Genius Masters have in store for us!! Time to get the proverbial (and metaphoric) French guillotines ready again as a purge of elitists may be needed! As Turley has pointed out before – Free Speech is the 1ST AMENDMENT FOR A REASON!!!

  13. The First Amendment is the bedrock of our nation. Perhaps the pundits and politicians denouncing free speech should acquaint themselves with US history and the First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

    1. They know it, just not playing your its a holy maxim game with it. It not.
      That 1st Amendment can go both ways with its so called protections.

  14. Professor Turley, you must at last know that you can no longer remain a Democrat. Every comment critical of Vance is uttered by a Democrat, either a party member or a media member that supports them.

    The free speech movement is up against all of Europe and half of America, it is a battle that needs to be won or will be lost forever.

  15. Funny, Germany a warmongering country responsible for the death of 100 millions persons, actually criticizing the USA as a threat to democracy.
    .In addition, what Germans don’t want to see or say it out loud, the government is actually using the same tactic to stop the AfD (a threat to democracy) that the Hilter regime did in 1933.
    History does repeat itself.

    1. The Democrats tried that “threat to democracy” BS with Trump too. Many fell for it but the majority did not (whew!).

  16. “Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) I’m sure that we will hear these words repeatedly as long as we debate our European cousins over free speech. Europe has willingly or unwillingly opened its doors to hordes of Muslims fleeing the Middle East and its disruptive and persistent wars. They come to Europe not wishing to be European but carrying their own customs, beliefs, religions, and traditions. They come from places that may have never known peace and where theocratic rule is enforced with swift and deadly punishment. The population of Muslims in Europe is officially around 7-8 percent, but some estimates say the percentage is higher, closer to twice that.

    Since the arrival of Muslims in Europe, there have been several sensational killings often in some way attributed to public speech that is disrespectful of Islam. To address this, the authorities want to eliminate what they believe is the “cause” of the problem by adopting free speech controls. Rather than address the problem itself, European leaders have chosen to impose speech controls and sanctions on their own people. It is victim-bashing at its best. And, of course, it is discriminatory and wrong. More importantly, as Franklin warned, they will receive neither liberty nor safety by giving up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety. But it’s OK, Europe; when you are finished with your experiment, America will still be here, ready to rescue you again from your follies.

  17. European civilization is collapsing before our eyes. Look at economic growth (nil), fertility (far below replacement), military strength (utterly dependent on the US), and immigration (unrestricted). And when you listen to these “leaders” the reasons are obvious.

    Sadly they are beyond our help.

    1. Collapsing? No it is not. Stop being a drama queen. Your facts are not true,, since the USA is experiencing the same problems as Europe. You forget, we just endured 4 years of Biden incompetence; he hurt the USA in way you can’t imagine. Musk’s game playing with facts proves nothing – checks issued with notation? Not going to save the economy.

      1. Collapsing? Yes, it is! Stop ignoring what can be easily seen. Would you like to live in a country where you can get arrested for SILENTLY praying? Musk’s “game playing”? Man, pick a side, eh?

        1. Live in a country where… well, I have. Even lived in GY and Austria. And not for a couple weeks at a time. You understand nothing about other countries and cultures, you face is glued to TV all day.

          1. Anonymous-well I lived on 3 continents by the age of 10. Only one I don’t remember is Japan. Lived in Germany in 1954-56 when there were still major bombed out buildings in Mannheim (where I lived and most other cities) There was major rebuilding going on but the ruins were still there. Those Germans knew what had happened and why they had to pay the price. A major part of Germany have forgotten and their Middle East migrants certainly come from an area not known for democratic tendencies.
            Oh by the way Heidelberg was never bombed and was beautiful. Just down the autobahn from Mannheim if you need directions

      2. Europe is not “collappsing” – but it is in trouble. But BB’s facts are correct.
        Most of Europe has little or no growth. Standard of living has fallen way behind the US.
        The US has problems with our birth rates – but those of Europe are far worse.
        And the only reason that Europe might be able to militarily defend itself against Say Putin is that as is obvious from Ukraine – Putin is Weak.

        Is requiring the federal government to provide a reason for every expenditure going to save the world ? No. But it will reduce the waste and fraud and it will provide better tools to determine the effectiveness of spending – as well as reduce waste and fraud.

        Will cutting spending “Save the economy” – absolutely but only if we do enough of it.
        We are passed a tipping point at which interest on the national debt will slowly grow to consume the entire federal budget.
        The further along that goes the harder and more painful it will be to overcome.

        Bill Clinton cut 10% of the federal workforce and actually had a surplus.
        What Musk and Trump are seeking is doable.
        Biden expanded the federal workforce by more than 10% in the past 4 years.
        Trump is not even close to rolling it back to where it was in 2020.

        In 2011 – likely to win an election – Obama greated his Own DOGE – and put VP Biden in change.
        Obama and Biden SAID all the same things Trump and Musk are not SAYING.
        But they did not DO anything.

    1. Whig, truly great speeches require great orators. The orator also needs to be believable. If our experience with an orator defies the message, then it will fall flat. Vance was absolutely believable. His delivery was exceptional. The audience, well given their current crackdown on free speech, might not have felt safe to applaud.

  19. Dr Turley, as usual, you are spot on. Thanks for your insightful remarks and thoughtful reminders, which reminds us what a great nation we live in and how we are blessed to have such a foundational document as our U.S. Constitution.

    1. Spot on? No he is not, anyone with brains and time can rip his opinion apart. Turley is not preaching gospel, don’t make him some sort of free speech apostle. He’s simply not.

      1. To paraphrase VP Vance, please take the time to do so instead of saying it can be done.

        In “Hillbilly Elergy,” Vance explained his lack of faith in transformative moments.
        “I’ve seen far too many people awash in a genuine desire to change, only to lose their mettle when they realized just how difficult change actually is,” he wrote.

      2. You’re talking a lot but you’re not saying anithing. Stop ranting and try to make even a single coherent argument.

        1. Ranting, he’s not ranting, he’s expressing an opinion . As for yourself, stop being a bully and contribute something intelligible.

      4. Anonymous7:25am
        You got that backward. Anyone with no brains will try to rip Turley apart. You just demonstrated you position and lack of sufficient intellect.

  20. I (and my family) will stand with you, Professor Turley, on the side of our Constitution and free speech.

    1. Really, why? Is the USA the only country with a constitution and free speech principles? Better check the World Almanac edition 2025.

      1. Golly gee mister Europe is so great. NOT. The ECHR claims every citizen has freedom of speech and then goes on to add loopholes those garbage governments could drive the Titanic through.

        “The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or the rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.”

        In other words, European “freedom of speech” is a myth.

        https://www.foxnews.com/media/german-prosecutors-tell-60-minutes-its-crime-insult-people-online-government-raids-offenders-homes

        Those Leftist Germans ARE the Nazis.

        So European Culture may not be collapsing but it is surely devolving into something antithetical to our American founding principles. The enemy within is trying to do the same thing here. I call them the anthill people.

    2. #74. Free speech is the free exchange of ideas. Child porn is an idea that should not be freely exchanged. Larry Flynt should have lost, too. It’s not a good idea.

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