[A_COMPUTER]

You're not wrong, but you've got a political blind spot if you don't think there are people on the left that do the same thing re. repackaging and resubmitting ideas, or if you don't see the contingent of the left that is against free speech.

[xzi]

There's part of the Right which is against free speech too. Has been for decades. All those campaigns against "immoral" literature, movies, music, television. The "Watch what you say" Bush Administration. The Republican-led state governments who prevent their own scientists from talking about climate change. The right-wing religious colleges which police not only what is said and done on campus, but also heavily regulate off-campus behavior as well. Even the heavy censorship and downvoting in online right wing communities and subreddits. Why these groups get a free pass from many people who yell at the left about free speech, I'll never understand.

Maybe the response will be something along the lines of "The Right is so big and covers so many people you can't blame all of them." But you could say the same about the Left. Covers many, many ideologies and sub-ideologies.

[A_COMPUTER]

Generally nobody has to be reminded that many on the right aren't fans of free speech. But people have to be constantly reminded that there are people on the left that aren't fans of free speech.

[GunboatDiplomat]

Of course, there are opponents of free speech on the left and the right. There are also proponents of free speech on the left and the right. And when speaking strictly of the US political spectrum, it's fair to say that the neither side is more opposed to speech than the other.

[bad_user]

I'm not sure what the "left" or "right" are these days. Certainly these definitions have changed in such a way as to leave the impression that there's only one axis and that there are only 2 sides. I have plenty of ideas and beliefs that now would fall on the right of the political spectrum.

I don't deny that there are people on the "left" going against free speech. As somebody born under communism, I have a similar level of disdain for extremists of all colors.

That said, you know that old saying "Your right to swing your arms ends just where the other man's nose begins"? Well, I think this also applies to freedom of speech. No freedom should be absolute, not when it goes in conflict with other human rights that are just as important, like the right for fair treatment and for being innocent until proven guilty. This is why the constitution of many countries, including my own, grants the freedom of speech only for as long as it's not hate speech targeted at groups based on race, ethnicity, nationality or religion. And I happen to agree with that.