Great article. I just returned to the US from Scotland, where one day I happened to sit next to a Scottish professor on a train. Well educated of course, but unaware and/or in denial of these issues. I mentioned that many UK-based writer on Substack wished that the UK had a first amendment to protect free speech like the US. Blank stare. And I realize in retrospectively that what I spoke of on that train may not be tolerated by the authorities in the not-too-distant future.
The issue does unfortunately seem to fall prey to generational blindness, as with many issues regarding leftist extremism. I worry that many Americans voters above a certain age will enter the voting booth this November utterly unaware of the existence of one of the most undemocratic forces in our society today.
Great piece, David. I agree with your position on the problems coming from the radical left and I’ve read your account of a painful and bizarre firsthand cancellation experience. I wonder what your thoughts are on the move towards authoritarianism from the conservative Right? Is this not as concerning as the Marxist ideology from the Left?
Thanks, and while I do worry about right-wing authoritarianism, Western society pretty roundly rejects far-right extremism in a way that it does not do with far-let extremism. Nazism is broadly regarded as evil, yet we have communist Ive League professors cheering for genocidal terrorists and socialist politicians who think our nation is inherently evil. As a result, leftist extremism has become more deeply embedded and is a more influential force in our culture, so I worry about it more. But that changes depending on the country in question.
Great article. I just returned to the US from Scotland, where one day I happened to sit next to a Scottish professor on a train. Well educated of course, but unaware and/or in denial of these issues. I mentioned that many UK-based writer on Substack wished that the UK had a first amendment to protect free speech like the US. Blank stare. And I realize in retrospectively that what I spoke of on that train may not be tolerated by the authorities in the not-too-distant future.
The issue does unfortunately seem to fall prey to generational blindness, as with many issues regarding leftist extremism. I worry that many Americans voters above a certain age will enter the voting booth this November utterly unaware of the existence of one of the most undemocratic forces in our society today.
Another rich and powerful piece.
Great piece, David. I agree with your position on the problems coming from the radical left and I’ve read your account of a painful and bizarre firsthand cancellation experience. I wonder what your thoughts are on the move towards authoritarianism from the conservative Right? Is this not as concerning as the Marxist ideology from the Left?
Thanks, and while I do worry about right-wing authoritarianism, Western society pretty roundly rejects far-right extremism in a way that it does not do with far-let extremism. Nazism is broadly regarded as evil, yet we have communist Ive League professors cheering for genocidal terrorists and socialist politicians who think our nation is inherently evil. As a result, leftist extremism has become more deeply embedded and is a more influential force in our culture, so I worry about it more. But that changes depending on the country in question.
David: Please be aware of my book link https://www.euromaidanrevolution.com/
Thank you,
Mark Estabrook