Free Speech in Shanghai

Stratfor:

In Obama’s Town Hall Meeting in Shanghai, (Nov. 17), I believe your representation that freedom of speech is “typically a concern of the left” is erroneous. I submit that freedom of speech is a paramount concern of conservatives, particularly in a climate in which the left appears to be trying to limit such freedoms in the United States. Conservatives would pursue support of First Amendment rights for all. In that light, Obama struck the proper notes.

-John Brinkerhoff
Burke, Virginia
United States



Stratfor:

In this analysis you state: “…Our view is that this position implicitly links free speech (typically a concern of the American left)…”

I can’t agree with the parenthetical phrase. There is abundant evidence that the American left is all about stifling free speech. Just look at academia — our university campuses are probably the least tolerant of any speech that doesn’t support their worldview.

-Marty Ellison
Bellevue, Washington
United States



Stratfor:

Your comment where you said “…implicitly links free speech (typically a concern of the American left)…” is certainly wrong in my opinion, especially if you look at the fact of biased major media reporting — including ABC, NBC, CBS and CNN — that supports the views of the left. Of course free speech can be biased speech. However, if an article or report is editorial in nature, this slant should be noted at the outset of nearly every news broadcast of these stations…I have trouble with “free” speech being equated with “editorialized” or “spin” reporting and would offer that free speech such as right-biased talk radio is actually more free than that from the left simply because talk radio does not try to hide its bias in an apparent attempt to fool the public; nor do the hosts ignore the opinions of the opposition. In fact, they often play rebuttals and the differing opinions of the left while giving their own views. Like them or not, the right seems much more interested in dialog and an airing of the facts than the leftist “free” speech advocates.

-Frank Free
Brookville, Ohio
United States