Democracy Depends on Free Speech and Dissent

DEMOCRACY DEPENDS ON FREE SPEECH AND DISSENT -- (House of Representatives - July 20, 2005)

(Mr. NADLER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I heard the remarks of the majority leader a few minutes ago. Democracy depends on free speech and dissent. Free speech is stifled when dissent is labeled treason or is derided in time of war as not supporting our troops.

We all support our troops. One can point out the mistakes or the dishonesty of the administration while not stinting in supporting our troops. Pointing out that the administration misled the country about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq is not ``not supporting our troops.''

Pointing out that Karl Rove appears to have participated in a conspiracy to punish Ambassador Wilson for telling the truth about this by revealing the Ambassador's wife's CIA role is not ``not supporting our troops.''

Pointing out the administration's justification for keeping our troops in harm's way in Iraq flip-flops by the season is not ``not supporting our troops.''

Demanding proper investigation of evidence that the administration has disgraced this country by evading our laws against torturing prisoners is not ``not supporting our troops.''

A free society requires that all these accusations see the light of day. Let the administration rebut them if they can. But do not use the mantra of supporting our troops to stifle essential free speech.

http://thomas.loc.gov