Left Reckoning 238 - Charlie Kirk & The War On Free Speech, & Bolsonaro JAILED
Sep 17, 2025
In this episode, Tom Alter, a former history professor dismissed for advocating free speech, shares his experiences and discusses the implications for academic freedom. Brian Mier dives into the legal fallout from Bolsonaro's recent imprisonment linked to a coup attempt in Brazil, highlighting threats to democracy. Tamanisha J. John tackles the Trump's administration's aggressive policies in Venezuela, exploring the challenges of neocolonialism in Latin America. Together, they shed light on the critical intersection of free speech and global politics.
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State Power Targeting Unpopular Speech
- Government officials celebrated police overreach after offensive speech about Charlie Kirk, signaling selective enforcement of speech protections.
- David Griscom warns this behavior erodes constitutional safeguards and normalizes targeting dissenters.
Offense Is Not A Criminal Act
- Matt Lech emphasizes that offensive words alone are not assault and mass state response was disproportionate.
- He links public outrage to Charlie Kirk's own provocative political record, explaining social reactions.
Right-Wing Schism Over Israel Influence
- Candace Owens described a pressure meeting around Charlie Kirk and Israel, revealing factional splits on the right.
- Matt Lech sees this as evidence of an intra-right schism over Israel influence in conservative media.
