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THE JOHN ADAMS SOCIETY
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Leopold X. Keiser       David W. Downing          Christopher T. Wolff       Marina Wolff
        Chairman                   Secretary                           Chief Whip                      Chancellor
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September 18, 2024
Location: Burger Moe’s, St. Paul

"For if Men are to be precluded from offering their Sentiments on a matter, which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences, that can invite the consideration of Mankind, reason is of no use to us; the freedom of Speech may be taken away, and, dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep, to the Slaughter."

  ― General George Washington, addressing the Officers of the Army 

 IN AN AGE WHEN “MOSTLY” has come to mean “close enough,” is “mostly free” speech good enough? Absolutely not! There is no “mostly” in the First Amendment! We would never settle for being “mostly free” to assemble in the streets to “mostly freely” petition the government for redress of our grievances. Speech must be free. Full stop. If there be any restrictions, speech is no longer truly free. Nor are thought, the search for truth, or freedom.

Would we drink from a “mostly dysentery-free” well? Line up for a “mostly safe” vaccine? Or swim in “mostly shark-free” waters? Just as a woman can’t be “mostly” pregnant, free speech is unqualifiedly free, or it is not free at all. The government might limit only one percent of speech – but rest assured it will be the one percent the government fears!

ON THE OTHER HAND, there is an exception to every rule. The Founders had no vision of the twenty-first century. In their time, an inflammatory speaker could be immediately countered by the next man to mount the stump, and seditious pamphlets blew away in a strong wind. Today, lies and “misinformation” spread around the globe at the speed of light. Common sense tells us we must change with the times. It is too dangerous to allow speech to spread unvetted via new technologies without expert oversight.

THE CHAIRMAN, having suavely deflected most of the challenges to his mostly-absolute executive privilege, in the meantime has called a debate to settle the topic:

 
RESOLVED:  Absolute Free Speech is Essential.

The Debate will be held on September 18, 2024, at Burger Moe’s, 242 7th St. W., St. Paul, MN 55102.  The Chancellor will preside over drinks beginning at seven o’clock p.m. The debate will begin at half past seven. There is no dress code, however gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie; ladies are encouraged to adhere to a similar sartorial standard. For those gentlemen arriving sans tie yet wishing to discourse on the resolution, the Purveyor of Ties will keep on hand several remarkable selections.  In addition, the Chairman encourages all to join him as early as 6:30 pm for a bite to eat. Let us thank our host location for the use of their room in the most sincere way possible – by spending our money. God Bless Free Enterprise!  Questions regarding debate caucus procedures or about the John Adams Society itself may be directed to the Chairman at (281)229-3671 or the Secretary at (651) 485-1699.