Freedom of Speech (just watch what you say)

This post is probably not what you expect.

Yes, of course, we live in a time of censorship.

No, that’s not new.

I’m not here now to add to the growing din about Big Tech, social media, etc. Rather, I’d like to remind you that censorship was not invented in March 2020.

In 1989, for example, Ice T (long before he transitioned into a TV cop) released an album called Freedom of Speech…Just Watch What You Say! in response to an ongoing congressional effort to censor rock and rap acts.

One of the high-profile leaders of this tyrannical salvo was Tipper Gore, wife of World Economic Forum tool, Al.

Many high-profile musicians spoke out against the effort. This included Frank Zappa, Dee Snider, and John Denver.

Below are the lyrics to the first song from Ice T’s album on which these words are recited by Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys:

---

We interrupt this program with a special bulletin:

America is now under martial law

All constitutional rights have been suspended

Stay in your homes

Do not attempt to contact loved ones, insurance agents, or attorneys

Shut up

Do not attempt to think or depression may occur

Stay in your homes

Curfew is at 7 PM sharp after work

Anyone caught outside the gates of their subdivision sectors after curfew

Will be shot

Remain calm, do not panic

Your neighborhood watch officer will be by to collect urine samples in the morning

Anyone caught interfering with the collection of urine samples

Will be shot

Stay in your homes, remain calm

The number one enemy of progress is question

National security is more important than individual will

All sports broadcasts will proceed as normal

No more than two people may gather anywhere without permission

Use only the drugs prescribed by your boss or supervisor

Shut up, be happy

Obey all orders without question

The comfort you demanded is now mandatory

Be happy

At last, everything is done for you

---

Again, this is not from 2020. It’s 1989.

Video here:

---

The album’s title song is below. It’s intentionally profane. You don’t have to like that. You don’t have to listen. But you must protect its right to exist.

Now, I’m not saying I support or endorse all the decadent content released by deviant celebrities but I recognize that censorship is not a matter of personal opinion — and again, censorship wasn’t invented three years ago.

tl/dr: Censorship and constitutional violations have been around forever. We are not unique in being suppressed. However, we can be unique in how we choose to handle it.