Interesting interview! I am completely in favor of free speech, and believe that our freedom is being encroached upon from multiple directions.
At the same time, Lukianoff's approach sounds at times very academic and not likely to succeed in a cultural conflict that includes already a lot of physical violence, threats of violence, property destruction, coercion of citizens by activists and the like. I think Lukianoff's arguments start with an imagined scenario in which people have met together to engage in debates based on reason and on rules, and that there is no threat of real violence. Increasing numbers of elitist Democrats speak very freely about wanting to assassinate the president, feeling disappointed that he wasn't killed, and preparing for a civil war. Though much of this may be just talk, a lot of college age students and other young people say they think that physical violence is justifiable at least sometimes to resolve political conflicts. In my city the Democrat controlled local and state governments actively foster violent rioting and are doing so on this day.
Trump is not “my guy” but I am certain that if he was in charge of my city we would not have domestic terrorists rioting here for 30 plus days (so far).
Regarding the point of my post, all the comments you quoted are clearly protected speech. Calling for assassinations, on the other hand, is skating close to the edge of what is not protected. Where exactly does speech turn into a direct threat? Can we really define a line where it crosses, or is there a zone wherein exhortation to violence turns into a direct threat?
Trump made jokes about the attack on Nancy Pelosi’s husband.
Donald Trump said that former Congresswoman Liz Cheney should have guns “trained on her face” and be fired upon, which the Congresswoman said was akin to a death threat.
Trump threatened to weaponize the National Guard and military against American citizens to destroy the “enemy from within.”
JD Vance attempted to lie and cover for Trump’s “enemy from within” comments, before confirming he does “agree with” Trump and attacking American citizens as a bigger threat than any “foreign adversary.”
Vance said “of course” Trump’s plan to put American citizens before a war tribunal doesn’t sound “fascistic” to him.
Vance repeatedly dismissed reports of John Kelly calling Trump a “fascist” and revealing Trump’s praise for Hitler’s generals, saying people should “shut the hell up about what happened four years ago.”
Preventing military on the streets is why Crispus Attucks died on Breed’s Hill. It is also why the Revolutionary War was fought. Trump stands out because he is a clear and present danger to freedom. I previously post a July 4th article pointing out similarities between the grievances the Founders had with George III and those we face under Donald Trump.
When domestic terrorists are assaulting people, destroying public buildings and private businesses, and intimidating citizens who live in nearby neighborhoods, and the city and state choose to not only allow that behavior but actively foster it, the people can either take matters into their own hands or hope that help comes from higher levels of law enforcement. Since the state is even less likely to intervene than the city, the people who care in a normal way about protecting themselves and their property have to depend upon the federal government to intervene. I’m not sure that either the National Guard are sufficiently trained to handle riots led by criminals and funded by who knows what organizations.
This is how the Democrats are destroying cities. If you are not living in this situation you do not know why the image of an “enemy within” rings true for so many people at this time in many places. This situation is not the same as the American Revolutionary War nor is it the same as any other time. The U.S. has not previously disintegrated in this particular way, because it was younger then, and the current kind of disintegration may be an effect of old age, even though other civilizations have lasted much longer.
Every Democrat in Congress voted against the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill,’ many fiercely criticizing the expected cuts it would bring to Medicaid. ‘They wouldn’t vote only because they hate Trump, but I hate them, too, you know?’ Trump said. ‘I really do. I hate them. I cannot stand them, because I really believe they hate our country.’
2024
“It is the enemy from within and they’re very dangerous. They are Marxists and communists and fascists,” the Republican said, referring to his domestic political opponents. “And they say, I use a guy like Adam Schiff, because they made up the Russia Russia Russia hoax. It took two years to solve the problem. Absolutely nothing was done wrong, etc. etc.
“They are dangerous for our country. We have China, we have Russia, we have all these countries. If you have a smart president, they can all be handled. The more difficult are the Pelosis, these people, they are so sick and they are so evil.”
Excellent debate "Did Harvard have it coming to them" with Larry Summers (no) & Alan Dershowitz (yes). Easy to follow the arguments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq_-WNRwcjc&ab_channel=OpentoDebate
Interesting interview! I am completely in favor of free speech, and believe that our freedom is being encroached upon from multiple directions.
At the same time, Lukianoff's approach sounds at times very academic and not likely to succeed in a cultural conflict that includes already a lot of physical violence, threats of violence, property destruction, coercion of citizens by activists and the like. I think Lukianoff's arguments start with an imagined scenario in which people have met together to engage in debates based on reason and on rules, and that there is no threat of real violence. Increasing numbers of elitist Democrats speak very freely about wanting to assassinate the president, feeling disappointed that he wasn't killed, and preparing for a civil war. Though much of this may be just talk, a lot of college age students and other young people say they think that physical violence is justifiable at least sometimes to resolve political conflicts. In my city the Democrat controlled local and state governments actively foster violent rioting and are doing so on this day.
Trump is not “my guy” but I am certain that if he was in charge of my city we would not have domestic terrorists rioting here for 30 plus days (so far).
Regarding the point of my post, all the comments you quoted are clearly protected speech. Calling for assassinations, on the other hand, is skating close to the edge of what is not protected. Where exactly does speech turn into a direct threat? Can we really define a line where it crosses, or is there a zone wherein exhortation to violence turns into a direct threat?
Trump pardoned the J6 rioters.
Trump made jokes about the attack on Nancy Pelosi’s husband.
Donald Trump said that former Congresswoman Liz Cheney should have guns “trained on her face” and be fired upon, which the Congresswoman said was akin to a death threat.
Trump threatened to weaponize the National Guard and military against American citizens to destroy the “enemy from within.”
JD Vance attempted to lie and cover for Trump’s “enemy from within” comments, before confirming he does “agree with” Trump and attacking American citizens as a bigger threat than any “foreign adversary.”
Vance said “of course” Trump’s plan to put American citizens before a war tribunal doesn’t sound “fascistic” to him.
Vance repeatedly dismissed reports of John Kelly calling Trump a “fascist” and revealing Trump’s praise for Hitler’s generals, saying people should “shut the hell up about what happened four years ago.”
Conservative Gaslighting no longer works.
There is in fact an enemy within my town, and it lives on multiple levels. I wish there were military on the streets every day.
You sir, are obsessed by Donald Trump. I am not.
I prefer to focus on the topic of the Lukianoff interview, which is free speech and its limits, where it leaves off and violence begins.
Preventing military on the streets is why Crispus Attucks died on Breed’s Hill. It is also why the Revolutionary War was fought. Trump stands out because he is a clear and present danger to freedom. I previously post a July 4th article pointing out similarities between the grievances the Founders had with George III and those we face under Donald Trump.
When domestic terrorists are assaulting people, destroying public buildings and private businesses, and intimidating citizens who live in nearby neighborhoods, and the city and state choose to not only allow that behavior but actively foster it, the people can either take matters into their own hands or hope that help comes from higher levels of law enforcement. Since the state is even less likely to intervene than the city, the people who care in a normal way about protecting themselves and their property have to depend upon the federal government to intervene. I’m not sure that either the National Guard are sufficiently trained to handle riots led by criminals and funded by who knows what organizations.
This is how the Democrats are destroying cities. If you are not living in this situation you do not know why the image of an “enemy within” rings true for so many people at this time in many places. This situation is not the same as the American Revolutionary War nor is it the same as any other time. The U.S. has not previously disintegrated in this particular way, because it was younger then, and the current kind of disintegration may be an effect of old age, even though other civilizations have lasted much longer.
Crime is down.
Old dead white guy paraphrased, “Those willing to give up a little freedom, for a little security deserve neither.
The biggest terrorist threat is white people.
Conservatives will never feel secure
Blacks will never be good enough for Conservatives
July 6th proved Conservative entitlement
The joy Conservatives take in seeing people handcuffed by jack booted thugs proves their lack of morality or empathy
Mathew 25:35-40
Your guy Trump
07/04/2025
Every Democrat in Congress voted against the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill,’ many fiercely criticizing the expected cuts it would bring to Medicaid. ‘They wouldn’t vote only because they hate Trump, but I hate them, too, you know?’ Trump said. ‘I really do. I hate them. I cannot stand them, because I really believe they hate our country.’
2024
“It is the enemy from within and they’re very dangerous. They are Marxists and communists and fascists,” the Republican said, referring to his domestic political opponents. “And they say, I use a guy like Adam Schiff, because they made up the Russia Russia Russia hoax. It took two years to solve the problem. Absolutely nothing was done wrong, etc. etc.
“They are dangerous for our country. We have China, we have Russia, we have all these countries. If you have a smart president, they can all be handled. The more difficult are the Pelosis, these people, they are so sick and they are so evil.”
Edit to add:
Trump supporter actually assassinated Wisconsin Democrats.