The opening of my latest column at EveryJoe:
“Strange times for free speech.
“A century ago, Germany was the authoritarian nation. Kaiser Wilhelm was presiding over its efforts in World War I, and young Adolf Hitler was working toward his opportunity in World War II. At the same time, Britain and America were havens of liberal ideals.
“Yet those nations seem to have reversed roles on free speech and open debate. This year the German authorities decided to allow the republication of Hitler’s Mein Kampf. But simultaneously the British government has ordered its universities to police extremist ideas within their walls. And with the American commencement season approaching, we can expect another round of speaker dis-invitations as university students demand that they not have to listen to ideas outside their comfort zone …” [Read more here.]
Previous column in The Good Life series: Is Republishing Hitler’s Mein Kampf the Correct Decision?