Freedom Of Speech
I don’t mind the denunciations frankly
I mind the lies
Well, I mean intellectuals are very good at lying
They’re professionals at it
They have wonderful technique
There’s no way of responding to it
If somebody calls you, you know, an antisemite
What can you say?
“I’m not an antisemite?”
Somebody says you’re, you’re a racist, you’re Nazi or something this
You always lose
I mean
The person who throws the mud always wins
Because there’s no way of responding to such charges
[Chorus]
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech
I do not think that the state ought to have the right to determine historical truths
And to punish people who deviate from them
I’m not willing to give the state that right
Even if they happen to fall
“Are you denying that gas chambers ever…”
Course not
But I’m saying if you believe in freedom of speech
You believe in freedom of speech for views you don’t like
I mean, Goebbels was in favor of freedom of speech for views he liked
Right?
So was Stalin
If you’re in favor of freedom of speech
That means you’re in favor of freedom of speech
Precisely for views, you despise
Otherwise, you’re not in favor of freedom of speech
Otherwise, you’re not in favor of freedom of speech
There’s two positions you can have on freedom of speech
And you can decide which position you want
[Chorus]
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech
With regard to my defense of
The utterly offensive
The people who express utterly offensive views
I haven’t the slightest doubt that every commissar says
"You’re defending that person’s views"
No, I’m not
No, I'm not
I’m defending his right to express them
And the difference is crucial
And the difference has been understood
Outside of fascist circles
Since the 18th century
If you’re in favor of freedom of speech
That means you’re in favor of freedom of speech
Precisely for views, you despise
Otherwise, you’re not in favor of freedom of speech
And you can decide which position you want
[Chorus]
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech
You’re in favor of freedom of speech
That means precisely for views you despise
Freedom of speech
Otherwise you’re not in favor of freedom of speech
Otherwise you’re not in favor of freedom of speech
Freedom of speech
You’re in favor of freedom of speech
That means precisely for views you despise
Freedom of speech
Otherwise you’re not in favor of freedom of speech
And you can decide which position you want
The language you use has meaning!
The language you use has meaning!
That’s right
The language you use has meaning!
The language you use has meaning!
That’s right
That’s right