Shouting ‘Nazi’ in a Crowded Theater

Whitaker Online
July 23, 2014

Everyone knows that shouting “Nazi” in a crowded theater is the way universities keep any speaker they don’t approve of off campus.

If the speaker is one that leftists and kept conservatives don’t want there, the Thugs threaten to cause a riot. So the administration says “His appearance would cause trouble” and every effective opposition speaker is banned.

For his own good, of course.

And to keep the peace, of course.

The classic statement on limitations on freedom of speech is “Free speech does not include the right to shout “FIRE!” in a crowded theater.

I am the ONLY person I have ever heard of who asked, “What if there IS a fire in a crowded theater?”

If I note a fire growing that others don’t see, the official doctrine is that I am supposed to go see the theater manager quietly and privately and inform him.

No one else here seems to have thought about this. By the time I FIND the manager, much less get a private talk with him, the fire will have burned the place down and made a good start on the rest of the city.

But, once again, no one ASKS. I am looking at the question from a pre-basic point of view.

No one else does.

They talk about the Mantra causing violence. But the word “Nazi” is INTENDED for no other purpose. The “Nazi” label outlaws the person it is aimed at, the “Nazi” label is INTENDED to cause violence.

No one has thought about this.

No one MENTIONS this.