Free speech in California is limited to progressive lefties and Democrats.

Oh really? You're just upset because no one believes your "Obama was born in Kenya" garbage.

I thought this was a well run session. The Moderator was a bit biased - but the panel definitely was not! I liked the stories and the insights of the Voice Editor and the 'I'd risk getting my face punched too' of the Jesuit from Santa Clara U.

Thanks HRC.

The article is written about a meeting that has now been held. Can the reporter who attended the meeting update the article?

It makes me wonder if anyone is really interested in free speech any more or if that is just another buzz phrase that is only associated with politically correct language and causes?

I was unable to attend the meeting, but I was hoping that at least the video of it would be posted online. So far I don't see anything on the city's website.

Then, the Voice posts an article about kids rallying for gun control, only to shut it down two days later when most of the comments and support are clearly in favor of the Second Amendment!

I find both of these things very disheartening and I worry about the future of our Republic when people scream for free speech, but only want to allow it as long as you agree with them.


Jim Neal
Old Mountain View

My recent posts on the sister publication Palo Alto Online were not even "post removed" they were completely and totally deleted as if they were never even made. And they were not to my knowledge against user terms, I've got copies of them. Talk about censorship....not only that but the whole thread was closed for comments when everyone was following the guidelines.

It's scary. And I don't think "the people" are aware of how much their thoughts are being controlled.

Having seen your posts, Palo Alto Online was fully justified in removing them. They were nothing more than your usual rants against "lefists" and anyone who dares to disagree with your point of view.

And remember: No news web site is obligated to publish your posts. Ever.

You are correct, no one is obligated to publish my posts. It's interesting that anything differing from your viewpoint is a rant. That's the problem now, people can't discuss and agree to have differing views without name calling and public shaming such as you just did.

I realize I have very different views from the majority of my neighbors and actually many of my friends. I disagree wholeheartedly with many of the current solutions being discussed for quite a few issues (RVs, housing, gun control). But I don't try to shame or silence those opposing views. I try to stand my ground and confidently promote my views and my way of looking at things. I can understand how others have different feelings, I just don't happen to agree with them. But I don't shame them.

As Neal said, it's concerning that it's Free Speech only when you agree with it. And it’s even scarier when the media is deleting posts and censoring them to their particular bias. Do you even realize the extent to which this limits opinions and views?

"It's interesting that anything differing from your viewpoint is a rant. That's the problem now, people can't discuss and agree to have differing views without name calling and public shaming such as you just did."

How funny that people of your ideological stripe denounce "playing the victim card" -- until they are challenged. Then, it's "I'm being unfairly attacked here!!!"

Give it up, snowflake. You're certainly dish it out, but you definitely can't take it.

Look who's doing the name calling. These posts speak volumes

Can't help yourself, can you? There you go, playing the victim card again.

Give it up, you don't have a case. Or anything approaching an actual argument.

I did not attend the meeting and hope to read an article about it. There are proper and lawful limits on freedom of speech but not that a government official merely disagrees with the speaker or poster lawfully speaking in the United States). The First Amendment does not apply to private sector limits on free speech. Google, for example, may lawfully and without even civil liability fire any employee that criticizes it (within some limitations imposed by statutes or any employment contract).

As I posted above, I would like to hear more about this meeting. Ann Coulter also spoke in Mountain View last week and no mention of it in the MV Voice although it was mentioned on local news. It seems the Voice itself is very selective in its coverage of free speech and that may be selective journalism. Is selective journalism a type of free speech?

@PA Resident

All journalism is selective. No one organization can print/report EVERYTHING. I can't speak for The Voice, but one event was put on by the government of Mountain View and the other was a private event. Speakers and notorious people come to Mountain View all the time with little to no fanfare. I applaud The Voice's decision not to give any more airtime to Ann Coulter and her vile message.

@@PA Resident - Can you tell us specifically what is vile about Ann Coulter's message? Specific quotes or links to videos? I am sure that I haven't heard absolutely everything that Ann Coulter has said, but I think most of it has been her opinions on how government operates and defending the Constitution as she sees it.

I notice that very often people will demonize someone and attack them or their point of view by using labels, but will never provide specific quotes from that person or specific actions they have taken.

It is very easy to smear others with vague charges. Let's try for a little higher standard of discourse shall we? Instead of saying "your ideas are stupid"; how about something like, "I don't think that the idea of giving chocolate cake to students every day is a good idea, and here's why". Otherwise, it's just trolling and trying to bully people into silence by insulting them, rather than engaging in a debate.


Jim Neal
Old Mountain View

FYI

While there was no live broadcast/streaming, KMVT 15 did record the Civility RoundTable event on Free Speech. You can find it here on YouTube: Web Link