The Constitution also does not prevent the government from directing ridicule and contempt at the contemptible left; nor does it preclude legislators from inquiring whether public funds are being used simply for left-wing propaganda exercises at public institutions, and holding those who do so up to public ridicule.
You seem to have a rather exaggerated sense of how much of an internal 5th column a country can have while still being capable of defending itself.
I agree completely.
The Constitution also does not prevent the government from directing ridicule and contempt at the contemptible left;
Nor at the "contemptible" right ...
nor does it preclude legislators from inquiring whether public funds are being used simply for left-wing propaganda exercises at public institutions, and holding those who do so up to public ridicule.
Absolutely not. That too is part of free speech.
You seem to have a rather exaggerated sense of how much of an internal 5th column a country can have while still being capable of defending itself.
I'm not sure we really disagree on that much, but if so, I'd say YOU have a dangerously narrow sense of what constitutes "freedom." I guess it's okay as long as YOU approve it first, eh? I'm not sure that constitutes freedom as much as tyranny born of utter hubris.
There is no reason to fear the Fifth Column, unless The People are so stupid they succumb to its blandishments. And then, you have much more to fear from THEIR stupidity than from the agitators, fellow travelers, and domestic traitors.
Two possibilities exist: either you CAN shut them (the Fifth Columnists) up, or you can't. If The People pay them no heed, you have no need to. If The People are determined to heed them, you have no right to. But if you have to silence them through oppression, the cost is already too great, and their cause is won. Far better to let them speak and expose themselves for the hate-filled, self-loathing, purblind, embarrassing asses they are. That is more powerful than any gag.