Freedom of Speech

A.D. 25 TACITUS Annals IV


Next year, a completely novel type of charge was levelled against the historian Cremutius Cordus: that in his Annals he had eulogised Marcus Brutus and referred to Gaius Cassius as the last of the Romans.
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(Cordus was on a trumped up charge of treason, brought by dependents of Sejanus, the man who was a favourite of Tiberius, and gave a speech in the senate in his defence - some excerpts are below in quote marks.)(Jude)
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'The poems of Furius Bibaculus and Catullus are literally packed with insults aimed at Julius Caesar and Augustus, and they are still read today. Both rulers, however, tolerated these writings and let them alone, showing moderation, or perhaps I should say statesmanship. People lose interest in things that are ignored, but think there must be some truth in those which provoke anger.'

'I am saying nothing about the Greeks. Not only did they enjoy a freedom of speech without fear of punishment, but one might even call it a licence. In the case of objection, words were met with words.'

'Surely my speeches are not therefore inciting people to civil war? It is seventy years since Brutus and Cassius died; yet their statues are still to be seen. Not even their conqueror banned these.'

'Posterity gives each man his due; if I am condemned there will be people who will remember me just as Brutus and Cassius are remembered.'

After his speech Cordus left the Senate and starved himself to death. Even so, by senatorial decree, the aediles were instructed to burn his books. These survived underground, however, and were republished.

The episode leaves one amazed at the stupidity of those who believe that the political leaders of one generation can starve the next of memories. On the contrary, if you take action against writers it enhances their standing. Foreign monarchs and those who imitate their cruelty only succeed in glorifying the reputation of those whom they try to suppress, and in bringing dishonour upon themselves. (Tacitus)

A.D. 2007 JUDE (post on blog)

There has been a law passed named 'Holocaust Denial' and anyone who denies that the Holocaust took place can now be jailed. I think this law is active in Austria but am not sure where else. One old guy named David Irving was jailed in Austria, I read it in the BBC news some weeks ago.

For fifty years I have never doubted that the Holocaust took place. I don't think anyone I have spoken to doubted what they saw as a fact. Now, however, I have heard murmurs asking the question - Why pass a law? Will things get to the stage where I could be jailed for asking why it was necessary to pass a law?
People lose interest in things that are ignored, but think there must be something in things which provoke anger.

Socialism/Communism/Fascism

I have not, for most of my life, been a particularly political creature. I did not have the time. I worked (mostly full-time) and raised three children. However, in my autumn years I now have the leisure in which to view the world, historically, politically, and economically (economics are SO boring). I read left wing blogs and right wing blogs and have come to the conclusion that I am a centrist, with no ideological or religious beliefs that can fire me up whatsoever.

(It is generally accepted that most young people are inclined to the left but that as they grow older and wiser, they incline more to the right. I was too busy to incline either way when young, and now I am too old and too lazy.)

Fascism seems to me to be a good thing - patriotism, nationalism and a policy of independence - which I have noticed all countries aspire to or practise, but the Germans, the best known Fascists in the modern world, have been punished for being Fascists for the last 62 years.

Socialism seems to me to be a good thing. I live in a socialist country. We have a pretty good welfare system (which originated in Germany) which I think is a good thing in a country which is only good at growing grass and is situated on the edge of the Southern Ocean. If we didn't have a welfare system I think most of us would have to move or starve to death. However, the national flag is flown at all important ceremonies (and burnt this past ANZAC day by one Valerie Morse, a woman with a strong American accent) and patriotism and nationalism is called into play whenever it suits the politicians.

Communism seems to have been a good thing - to the Russians I know who lived under it. They call themselves Socialists but most of them also practise traits recognised as Fascist i.e. patriotism (they love Mother Russia), nationalism (they think Russians are the best people in the world), and they would love to have a policy of national independence. However, during their 'socialist' period, young Russians would sell State secrets for a pair of blue denim jeans.

Religion seems to be a good thing to those frightened people who hope for eternal life, but a bad thing for those who see it as hypocritical indoctrination of a belief system used for control of minds. I mean, if one believes in angels and devils (as religions tell you to), why shouldn't one believe in fairies and leprechauns? (Because religions tell you not to.)

Fascism, Socialism and Communism are not compatible with 'open' and 'democratic' societies. They are (or must become) totalitarian. Theocracies are in their very essence totalitarian. I think these ideologies descend into totalitarianism because there are flaws, (often nonsensical), in all of these systems and people must be discouraged from questioning these flaws. Totalitarianism demands the entire subservience of the individual to the State, which will tell you what to think and what to say. If you do not say and do what the State, or the religious person wants you to say and do, you will be jailed, or killed, to protect the system.

People lose interest in things which are ignored, but think there must be something in things which provoke anger.

The one thing a democratic society has which sets it apart from all other idealogies is freedom of speech. When someone interferes with that freedom of speech and puts someone in jail for saying something outside the accepted political or religious line, I (and many like me) sit up and take notice. Words must be met with words! If I was living in a totalitarian society, I would expect such occurrences, but I do not. I live in a democracy - or do I?

Vale Cordus - you are remembered.