To the editor:
In his 12/28/23 letter to the editor, David Edelstein utilizes his observation that “guardrails” have been applied to free speech as justification for limits that should also be applied to our right to bear arms. I appreciate his comparison, which undermines his point.
The fact is that “guardrail” censorship of free speech is now a frightening everyday occurrence in this country on a wide range of issues. With White House and intelligence agency prodding, and in accord with their own biases, social media giants and the mainstream media have regularly deplatformed or cancelled communications and ideas they don’t like. During COVID this was seen in blocking questions about COVID’s origin, lockdown effectiveness and vaccine safety. We are essentially being told that we cannot be trusted to think, wonder why, or freely express our opinions anymore.
Such free speech “guardrails” make vigilant Americans anxious and determined to protect against an increasingly dishonest Orwellian government. The founding fathers saw this coming and enshrined our ability to bear arms so intolerant partisans could not subjugate us. Guardrails on our Constitutional rights are not to be trusted, whether applied to our right to bear arms, free speech or anything else.
Susan Quinlan Lake Leelanau
