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'''Free speech''' is the right to express your opinions out loud, in public or private, in print, by mail, or online.  It is essential to [[democracy]], and along with the [[Second Amendment|right to keep and bear arms]] is the greatest deterrent to [[tyranny]].  The [[United States]] is unique in protecting a full right of free political speech under the [[First Amendment]].

'''Free speech''' is the right to express your opinions out loud, in public or private, in print, by mail, or online.  It is essential to [[democracy]], and along with the [[Second Amendment|right to keep and bear arms]] is the greatest deterrent to [[tyranny]].  The [[United States]] is unique in protecting a full right of free political speech under the [[First Amendment]].

[[Leftists]] are the biggest opponents of free speech, as they demand [[liberal censorship]] of views they do not like, especially [[Christian]], [[patriot]], [[conservative]], or [[libertarian]] ones. Such views are often demonized in the [[liberal media]] with its [[media bias]]. Ironically, however, Leftists used free speech to orchestrate the French Revolution by publishing damaging lies against King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette,<ref>''Demonic'' by Ann Coulter</ref> as well as ensure the promotion and domination of destructive ideologies such as Communism and Socialism during the Free Speech Movement of 1964.

[[Leftists]] are the biggest opponents of free speech, as they demand [[liberal censorship]] of views they do not like, especially [[Christian]], [[patriot]], [[conservative]], or [[libertarian]] ones. Such views are often demonized in the [[liberal media]] with its [[media bias]]. Ironically, however, Leftists used free speech to orchestrate the French Revolution by publishing damaging lies against King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette,<ref>''Demonic'' by Ann Coulter</ref> as well as ensure the promotion and domination of destructive ideologies such as Communism and Socialism during the Free Speech Movement of 1964.  Generally, the Left only favors free speech when it is convenient to them, but they are quick to demand that anyone who simply disagrees with their views and opinions be stripped of the right to free speech and, in violation of the [[First Amendment]], illegally try to do so through corrupt liberal public officials and leftist activists with the use of deceit (including false claims of "[[hate speech]]"<ref>[http://thefederalist.com/2017/04/20/sorry-college-kids-theres-no-thing-hate-speech/ Sorry, College Kids, There’s No Such Thing As Hate Speech] at the Federalist</ref>), threats, intimidation and criminal tactics.<ref>[https://aclj.org/free-speech-2/bloggers-free-speech-rights-under-attack Bloggers’ Free Speech Rights Under Attack] at ACLJ.org</ref><ref>[https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2015/05/10/the_lefts_crusade_against_free_speech_126535.html The Left's Crusade Against Free Speech] at Real Clear Politics</ref><ref>[http://thefederalist.com/2015/05/20/lgbt-activists-arm-for-further-war-on-free-speech/ LGBT Activists Arm For Further War On Free Speech] at the Federalist</ref><ref name="free speech">[https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2016/04/11/attorney-generals-conspire-free-speech-schneiderman-harris-exxon-cei-column/82878218/ Dear attorneys general, conspiring against free speech is a crime: Glenn Reynolds] at USA Today</ref>  In fact, federal law makes it illegal for anyone to conspire to suppress free speech or any other freedoms enjoyed by the public under the Constitution or federal law,<ref name="free speech"/> although leftists in the public sphere have gone out of their way to ignore such laws as not being convenient to their goals.

Free speech is threatened by [[hate speech]] codes which define certain types of statements as [[hate crime]]s. While supposedly protecting vulnerable groups (such as "questioning gay teens") from verbal abuse, rules and laws provide no clear distinction between "hurtful" speech and simply expressing one's opinion. Religious people, accordingly, worry that hate crimes legislation in America will be used to stop preachers and others from saying out loud or in print that homosexuality is evil.

Free speech is threatened by "hate speech" codes favored by the Left which define certain types of statements as "[[hate crime]]s" (as defined by liberal politicians). While supposedly protecting vulnerable groups (such as "questioning gay teens") from verbal abuse, rules and laws provide no clear distinction between "hurtful" speech and simply expressing one's opinion. Religious people, accordingly, worry that hate crimes legislation in America will be used to stop preachers and others from saying out loud or in print that homosexuality is evil.

Not every form of expression is protected as free speech.  For example, statements connected with unlawful conduct are typically illegal.

Not every form of expression is protected as free speech.  For example, statements connected with unlawful conduct are typically illegal.