William E. Borah Quote

"Without an unfettered press, without liberty of speech,
all of the outward forms and structures of free institutions
are a sham, a pretense -- the sheerest mockery.
If the press is not free;
if speech is not independent and untrammeled;
if the mind is shackled or made impotent through fear,
it makes no difference under what form of government you live,
you are a subject and not a citizen."

by:	William E. Borah (1865-1940) U.S. Senator (R-ID)
Source:	Remarks to the Senate, 19 April 1917
Rating:
Categories:	Fear, Government, Hypocrisy, Independence, Integrity, Justice, Law, Liberty, Press, Respect, Speech
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-- Kevin, Napa, CA
I would use some of the terms differently but, over all - very accurate. The press today doesn't quite fit into a scenario or domain of fettered or unfettered; rather, the press is simply the occupying statist theocracy infesting this land's ecclesiastical propagation arm. Maybe that means there is no press as the quote would have reference to. Chattel under PC condemnations are shackled, NOT free speaking individual sovereigns.  -- Mike, Norwalk      2
Stated simply, the press is in bed with the democratic party.  -- jim k, Austin      2
Never has bias in the press been more overt. As a result, the populace is being purposefully kept in the dark and constantly the object of 'social change.' Instead of reporting the news, journalists have taken on the role of 'opinion-makers.' It's all a show now. Those that can 'flip the script' are the biggest dangers -- like Trump. The press cannot abstain from all the money Trump makes for them, so they continue to cover him many times more than any other candidate -- granted they portray him poorly (they think). But the talking heads believe their own propaganda, and find it unbelievable that viewers actually think for themselves. The power of broadcast media has dwindled over the last couple decades -- people get their information from many more sources now. I tend to treat ALL publications and broadcasts to be 'slanted' by the writers/producers to their viewpoint -- and many believe they have a duty to report stories that will be a catalyst for changes they desire. Understood. All writing is subjective -- it cannot be otherwise. If I am searching for the truth, I had better take an active role -- anything broadcast to us is for a purpose -- obfuscating the truth is their bread and butter...  -- E Archer, NYC      2
Understanding Borah and his conflict with Theodore Roosevelt's embracing of industrial unionism. The murder trial in Idaho of " Big Bill" Haywood, a member of the Executive committee of the Socialist Party of America. Roosevelt requested trial of Borah for fraud at the time of Haywood's trial. Borah backed off, Rossevelt had the charges dropped on Borah.  -- Ronw13, Oregon
Adults favor an artistic and scientific based free mind and the verbal, written, and action content that expresses it.  -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown
Social media is the fettered press of today.  All information vehicles have been targeted for appropriation and propaganda dissemination.  WE the people need to always be discerning and watchful — it is not hard to see once you can make the distinction between acting and reality.  They don't call it television "programming" for nothing — including 'entertainment.'  -- E Archer, NYC

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