People on the political right have lost all of their freedom of speech. We know this because they write and broadcast about it so often in major newspapers and magazines, countless talk radio stations, television networks owned by billionaires, and books published by multinational conglomerates.

And in case wed forgotten, which is somewhat unlikely, Conservative politician Leslyn Lewis, who came an extremely impressive and close third in her partys recent leadership race and is running for the safe riding of Haldimand-Norfolk in the next federal election, has just told us once again about it all in the National Post. Where, of course, other conservatives such as Conrad Black and Rex Murphy are silenced on a regular basis.

Dr. Lewis wrote that we are no longer free to disagree, and even an innocent or naive verbal misstep can have dire consequences. She described the new PC culture as being cultish and that if you express a dissident opinion from the woke you are accused of being evil and full of hate. This went on for several hundred words.

The obvious irony aside, I wrote a column about Lewis back in September in which while I expressed great respect for her achievements and ability, also asked some serious and informed questions about her views on such issues as full LGBTQ2 equality, womens reproductive rights, and conversion therapy, and wondered why she hadnt been questioned more thoroughly about these themes. She is a woman hoping to achieve high office, and I a journalist and a citizen simply posed some pertinent questions.

First, several of her supporters attacked me on social media, and claimed entirely falsely and even scurrilously that I had spread hatred and lies. Then Dr. Lewis blocked me on Twitter. I sometimes block people too, but only if they are weirdly obsessive in their tweets, repeat libels about me just a little too often, attack my family, or insult others. I make a point of tolerating abuse to a degree that some consider unwise. Also, Im not a politician and am not seeking to be a public representative.

But theres a greater point here. Of course the debate around freedom of speech and so-called cancel culture is an important one, and there is no doubt that some on the left are crudely intolerant of contrary opinion. This, however, is nothing compared to how the right has long behaved and still does.

Im not of any importance, but when I evolved in my views on equal marriage seven years ago, I was fired from dozens of newspaper and magazine columns, radio and TV shows, and speaking contracts. There was a concerted and organized campaign to silence me and, chillingly, deprive me of my ability to make a living. Not everybody on the right did this, just as not everybody on the left is darkly oppressive. Most of us realize this, others make sweeping generalizations.

Dr. Lewis also writes in her column that, regrettably, some people are accused of being unscientific. This statement has potentially serious consequences. There are those who resist vaccinations, campaign against the wearing of masks, believe that the coronavirus pandemic is a hoax, deny the reality of trans people, think that LGBTQ2 men and women can be cured of their sexuality, and so on. They have a right to these grim opinions, but we have an obligation to label them as unscientific. Irresponsible fantasy is not the same as free speech, and can be irresponsible and dangerous.

Lewis concludes that, Free speech is dying, but there is hope for the human spirit to return to its origin of freedom, free will, free speech and free belief.

This may go down well with her base but its simply too flawed to be taken seriously. Free speech has context and nuance, and those with great power media magnates, influential politicians, the wealthy have more freedom than others. Those long silenced are speaking up, often for the first time, and that can make the traditionally vocal somewhat uncomfortable.

Reasoned consideration, empathy, and moderation will help us all a great deal, but politicized hyperbole only makes it worse. Lets not block all of this out, for all of our sakes.

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Conservatives spill lots of ink on the lack of free speech - Toronto Star