Column: Justice Gorsuch calls for 'civility,' always a code for shutting down free speech

When someone in power praises the principle of free speech, it’s wise to be on the lookout for weasel words.

One problem with calls for “civility,” as I noted in connection with the Sanders affair, is that the term has no fixed definition. That makes it useless in defining the boundaries of public discourse. As we’ve observed before, one person can be deeply affronted by language that another finds perfectly innocuous.Column: After bullying remarks about environmentalists and immigrants, Rep.

Calls for “civility” are employed to stave off political discussions likely to prove extremely discomfiting for one side. It’s the implicit theme in the gun lobby’s position that the aftermath of a violent slaughter is the wrong time to inject “politics” into the gun rights debate.

That brings us back to Gorsuch, whose concept of “civility” seems especially upside down. He treats “civility” as if it’s a precondition to debate — “Self-governance turns on our treating each other as equals — as persons, with the courtesy and respect each person deserves — even when we vigorously disagree.”

King had heard the call to be civil and timely all his life. He rebuked the white clergymen to whom he addressed his letter for sounding the same call. He might have been speaking directly to Neil Gorsuch, who lectures us that “to be worthy of our freedoms, we all have to adopt certain civic habits that enable others to enjoy them too.” In other words, argue for your rights, but don’t overstep the bounds of good taste and decorum.

hiltzikm Gorsuch wants libs to be civil whilst the cons are cutthroat. Fight fire w/ fire. Speak their language b/c that is all they will understand.

hiltzikm Not unlike tactical calls for unity, peace, reconciliation, etc.

hiltzikm : Gorsuch's nickname: 'Sneaky Bastard'

hiltzikm Platitudes

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