Free Speech Runs Both Ways

Robert Scheer’s Oct. 23 commentary, “A True Patriot Can Pose Hard Questions,” is both all right (correct) and all wrong at the same time. I, and I believe most Americans, agree that freedom of speech is essential for our democracy and that criticism of our government should not be controlled or denied. But Scheer blithely compares the Russian government’s suppression of critics of its incursion into Afghanistan with an outburst of criticism against some of the things other Americans are saying.

Scheer can’t have it both ways. If he wants freedom for Richard Gere, Susan Sontag and others to criticize our government, he can’t deny others from taking a different view. Our government hasn’t stopped anyone from speaking out for or against the war.

By the way, isn’t this one of the old staples of the so-called People’s Republics of . . . , where citizens are only allowed to say what the governing elite say they can say? Not so here, thank God.

John A. Bing

Laguna Beach

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Scheer seems to believe that the dissenters must not only be heard but must be supported and congratulated. He complains that the dissenters in this war have been ridiculed, widely contradicted and even vilified. Free speech for the dissenters, but mandated speech for the majority. Sorry, Mr. Scheer, free speech runs both ways. If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

I am proud to live in a country where all kinds of dissent can be heard. From Holocaust deniers and white supremacists to apologists for terror and loony-left columnists--all can have their say. Just don’t insist that I have a duty to listen or applaud.

Kevin Murphy

Los Angeles