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Each and every American, we believe, should be deeply troubled by remarks by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
Walz, the Democratic Party's nominee for vice president, has said that "free speech" does not protect "hate speech" or "disinformation."
As David Deming, in an op-ed column for the Oklahoman, noted, "there is no objective definition of the term 'hate speech.' In practice, it amounts to anything that people don't like or find to be offensive. Indeed, this is the very category of speech that most requires the protection of the First Amendment."
The lack of precision around both the terms "hate speech" and "disinformation" mean that efforts by the government to quell either are fertile ground for abuse.
We are curious how well it would sit with Walz if the exact nuances of what is or isn't "disinformation" were to be determined by his political rivals. Would he accept a determination that his claims about his military service and family that Republicans credibly argue are false or at least misleading are "disinformation," outside of the scope of the First Amendment's protections?
Must our political campaigns become a process of candidates attempting to muzzle each other?
We wish we could believe that Walz simply misspoke, or that on this issue he is an outlier amidst his own party.
Unfortunately, on both sides, we too frequently encounter critics of columnists, cartoonists and writers of letters to the editor who conflate hyperbole and rhetorical flourishes for efforts to convey objective facts and claim anything short of silencing their neighbors is "reporting falsehoods" or "provoking violence."
Too many politicians have insinuated that online platforms and other private entities should be compelled to publish or promote content they have every First Amendment right to decline. Too many politicians -- on both sides -- agitate for excessive penalties for symbolic acts they find offensive.
We find the erosion of respect for the First Amendment and for the concept of a marketplace of ideas and arguments, operating with as little restraint as possible, to be troubling.
We believe everyone should.