Real Time with Bill Maher Ep. #587: Ira Glasser, Fiona Hill, Matt Welch
Jan 29, 2022
Ira Glasser, former ACLU director, dives into the ongoing battle for free speech amidst political pressures. Fiona Hill, ex-National Security Council senior director, offers insights on NATO's role post-Cold War and the complexities in U.S.-Russia relations. Journalist Matt Welch lightens the mood discussing economic irony and the societal repercussions of COVID-19 debates. Together, they humorously critique M&M's inclusivity marketing while reflecting on the shifting political landscape and the delicate balance of regulation and personal liberties.
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Lenny Bruce's Trials
- Comedians weren't always able to enjoy free speech like they do now.
- Lenny Bruce faced multiple trials for material that's commonplace today.
ACLU's Changing Stance
- The ACLU's defense of free speech seems to be wavering.
- Their new guidelines require lawyers to consider if speech contradicts their values before defending it.
Skokie Case
- The ACLU defended the Nazis' right to march in Skokie, Illinois, despite their abhorrent views.
- This highlights their commitment to defending speech regardless of content.