(Hour 2c) James Patrick Riley, from Courage, NH, joins us for The History Segment. Riley explains to us that intolerance of the First Amendment is anti-American. His thoughts were spurred by the recent attack in Dallas, where Muslim fundamentalists opened fire on a gathering of cartoonists who’d caricatured the prophet Mohamed. Riley argued that freedom of expression is a defining characteristic of American culture and society and those who can’t accept that should just get out. He also discussed how political correctness is corrupting speech, even in conservative ranks, out of fear that someone might be offended.
Riley traced the battle for the freedom to express ourselves to Englishman John Wilkes, an early champion in the cause, who was the first to publish the speeches made in Parliament, which enraged the politicians who didn’t want their political dealings to be known (no kidding…). This segment is an education in what it must mean to be an American, lest the Republic fail.
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