Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

free speech? Believe as we say or we will destroy you.

GoDaddy has also begun dropping web hosting services for websites that support "hate speech"

1 posted on 08/14/2017 4:42:52 AM PDT by Skywise
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies ]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-26 last
To: Skywise
Don't know if it was litigated but I believe others have been with the same result. In 1976 the faculty of Northwestern University demanded the termination of Arthur Butz, a prominent electrical engineering professor who also became a prominent Holocaust Denier. Wrote one of the first books defending Nazi Germany from the libel suggesting they killed Jews. The demands persisted over the years, NU's President's statement seems to summarize the issue from an employer's perspective.

Northwestern University Associate Professor Arthur Butz recently issued a statement commending Iranian President Ahmadinejad's assertion that the Holocaust never happened. Butz is a Holocaust denier who has made similar assertions previously. His latest statement, like his earlier writings and pronouncements, is a contemptible insult to all decent and feeling people. While I hope everyone understands that Butz's opinions are his own and in no way represent the views of the University or me personally, his reprehensible opinions on this issue are an embarrassment to Northwestern.

There is no question that the Holocaust is a well-documented historical fact. The University has a professorship in Holocaust Studies endowed by the Holocaust Educational Foundation. Northwestern offers courses in Holocaust Studies and organizes conferences of academic scholars who teach in areas relating to the Holocaust. In addition, Northwestern hosts a summer Institute for Holocaust and Jewish Civilization. And most recently, a fellowship in the political science department has been established in my name by the Holocaust Educational Foundation. In short, Northwestern University has contributed significantly to the scholarly research of the Holocaust and remains committed to doing so.

Butz is a tenured associate professor in electrical engineering. Like all faculty members, he is entitled to express his personal views, including on his personal web pages, as long as he does not represent such opinions as the views of the University. Butz has made clear that his opinions are his own and at no time has he discussed those views in class or made them part of his class curriculum. Therefore, we cannot take action based on the content of what Butz says regarding the Holocaust - however odious it may be - without undermining the vital principle of intellectual freedom that all academic institutions serve to protect.

Henry S. Bienen
President[7]

My recollection is that the issue wasn't decided as much on the fact that NU was an academic institution, whose reputation could clearly suffer both from Butz's opinions and from censoring them, but the fact that Butz carefully never addressed the topic in class, or in the context of his role as a Northwestern Professor. Despite the fact that his status was known to his Nazi fans. He was even allowed to post links on his personal university website.

Seems to me that unless this 20 year old is expressing his opinions to fellow workers or customers, he has a legitimate action against his employer.

Of course the Butz controversy is now four decades old. Not sure liberals or liberal institutions, academic or otherwise, have the same concerns about speech they did then.

89 posted on 08/14/2017 8:03:06 AM PDT by SJackson (The Pilgrims—Doing the jobs Native Americans wouldn’t do !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Skywise
GoDaddy has also begun dropping web hosting services for websites that support "hate speech"

Freedom of association. You DON'T have to do business with those whom you disagree.

Unless it's a gay couple who wants you to bake them a cake...

92 posted on 08/14/2017 8:09:06 AM PDT by Mr.Unique (The government, by its very nature, cannot give except what it first takes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Codeflier; subterfuge; TTFlyer
For my company, as likely most employers, you show up with Nazi, Islamic, or Confederate fly, you will be fired. You post hate supporting these three, again, you will be fired. Nothing "clueless", "assinine", or wrong about this. Nothing illegal either. Actions have consequences and if you support these, except that good employers will fire you, else accept guilt by association. The employer in California posted the sign to cut short any further discussion. They wanted nothing to do with the racist murderer. Good for them.

And, no, I am not imposing my views on others. I am saying that as an employer, I choose who to associate with just as we also each do with regards to who we hold as friends.

Personally, FR should do the same, follow Trump and Sessions and company's lead and say unequivical no to any support or hate promoted directly or indirectly via the Nazi, Islamic, or Confederate flags. These are indefensible and are not patriotic, not conservative. They are unAmerican.

105 posted on 08/14/2017 8:58:08 AM PDT by Reno89519 (Drain the Swamp is not party specific. Lyn' Ted is still a liar, Good riddance to him.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Skywise

White people need to report to work only if they have deep red scars on their back from self flagellating with a mace ball. White people = permanent shame at existing.


111 posted on 08/14/2017 9:14:36 AM PDT by Yaelle (We have a Crisis of Information in this country. Our enemies hold the megaphone.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Skywise

Those Right guys should wear Masks like the Commies do.


117 posted on 08/14/2017 9:24:19 AM PDT by Kickass Conservative (The way Liberals carry on about Deportation, you would think "Mexico" was Spanish for "Auschwitz".)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Skywise

It just goes to show the Intifada is smarter than the other side.. The Intifada know to cover their faces.


126 posted on 08/14/2017 9:49:33 AM PDT by Just mythoughts
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-26 last

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson