Reason.tv: What's the Biggest Threat to Free Speech?

Gutfeld, Breitbart, Gov. Gary Johnson, Stagliano and More Sound Off

Jim Epstein & Michael C. Moynihan | December 16, 2010

What's the biggest threat to free speech? Reason.tv asks a cavalcade of politicians, journalists, filmmakers and content creators ranging from former Gov. Gary Johnson (R-N.M.) to Fox News' Greg Gutfeld to The Atlantic's Megan McArdle to adult filmmaker John Stagliano to new media magnate Andrew Breitbart to call their shot.

Featured (in order of appearance):

Andy Levy, Fox News’ Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld

Gov. Gary Johnson, Our America Initiative

Roger Stone, Political Strategist, Blogger, The StoneZone

John Stagliano, Evil Angel Productions

Cyan Banister, CEO, Zivity.com

Robert Corn-Revere, Davis Wright Tremaine

Kevin D. Williamson, Deputy Managing Editor, National Review

John Tierney, Science Columnist, The New York Times

Robert A. George, Editorial Writer, The New York Post

Kristin Davis, "Manhattan Madam" and NY Gubernatorial Candidate

Andrew Breitbart, Big Hollywood/Big Government/Big Journalism

Tunku Varadarajan, Editor, Newsweek International & NYU Professor

Rob Kampia, Executive Director, Marijuana Policy Project

Scott Ross, Editor, NBC's PopcornBiz

S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News and The Daily Caller

Bob Bowdon, Director, The Cartel

Tony Ortega, Editor in Chief, The Village Voice

Fred Smith, President, Competitive Enterprise Institute

Joe Garden, Features Editor, The Onion

John Papola, Producer-Director, “Fear the Boom and Bust”

Megan McArdle, Business and Economics Editor, The Atlantic

Greg Gutfeld, Fox News’ Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld

The interviews were conducted on December 9, 2010, at The Box, a nightclub on Manhattan's Lower East Side. They took place during a Reason event designed to celebrate our work - and those of others across the political and ideological spectrum - in defense of free expression.

Interviews conducted by Michael C. Moynihan and filmed and edited by Jim Epstein. Approximately 3.30 minutes.

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Editor's Note: We invite comments and request that they be civil and on-topic. We do not moderate or assume any responsibility for comments, which are owned by the readers who post them. Comments do not represent the views of Reason.com or Reason Foundation. We reserve the right to delete any comment for any reason at any time.

Fist of Etiquette|12.16.10 @ 1:50PM|#

Isn't the State the only threat to free speech?

West Texas|12.16.10 @ 4:15PM|#

This is actually a very astute point. The state doesn't necessarily give it, but the state guarantees it and no one else.

Yonemoto|12.16.10 @ 7:53PM|#

I think the biggest threat to free speech is idiots who think that free speech applies to anything but the government.

Mac |12.16.10 @ 11:18PM|#

we are all threats to free speech until we do something to protect it

my effort: manifestliberty.com

|12.16.10 @ 3:05PM|#

Porn.

|12.16.10 @ 3:16PM|#

By porn, I mean that when we have full immersion VR porn with very haptic interfaces, well, people are going to stop talking to one another altogether.

|12.16.10 @ 3:21PM|#

Very haptic interfaces.

|12.16.10 @ 3:36PM|#

Are those goggles in your pocket, or are you just haptic to see me?

|12.16.10 @ 3:45PM|#

I want to say one word to you. Just one word. . .: Haptics.

Bingo|12.16.10 @ 4:30PM|#

Oh goody, I've been looking for an appropriate place to post this. (NSFW)

Yup|12.16.10 @ 6:31PM|#

This video has been removed as a violation of YouTube's policy against spam, scams, and commercially deceptive content.
Sorry about that.

There it is, censorship, so YouTube is the biggest threat to Bingo.

Paul|12.16.10 @ 3:43PM|#

I'd like to wish you a Haptic Christmas.

You people should be ashamed of yourselves.

|12.16.10 @ 3:49PM|#

I bet you already have a haptic interface between you and the Internet.

|12.16.10 @ 3:52PM|#

One more word out of you and you're going in the holodeck with all safeties turned off. WITH DATA.

|12.16.10 @ 3:55PM|#

You ever get a Haptic Meal at McDonald's?

|12.16.10 @ 4:24PM|#

Why would anyone in their right mind ever design a holodeck with the ability to turn off safety interfaces? Maybe an episode just setting up the need for something totally idiotic like that might've helped.

|12.16.10 @ 3:46PM|#

Virtual masseuses can give you a haptic ending.

Mrs P Liberate|12.16.10 @ 3:55PM|#

Real wives can make it sad and expensive

|12.16.10 @ 3:59PM|#

Hey, you aren't Mrs. Libertate.

Imposter! Imposter! Call the cops!

Mrs P Liberate|12.16.10 @ 4:02PM|#

We won't be playing SWAT either

AlmightyJB|12.16.10 @ 3:56PM|#

Can't you geeks speak English and stop making me look up words?

|12.16.10 @ 4:05PM|#

Don't worry, you'll know all about haptic interfaces soon enough.

AlmightyJB|12.16.10 @ 5:10PM|#

Well after looking it up I look forward to them:)

|12.16.10 @ 5:28PM|#

Of course, we won't need haptics when they just plant the chips directly into our brains.

|12.16.10 @ 7:09PM|#

I actually think you are on to something. Once resources are no longer scarce it is possible that society will simply cease to exist.

It is a real problem with the looming and near libertopian singularity.

Spur|12.16.10 @ 3:05PM|#

I saw pictures from the event at fleshbot - that's my kinda reason right there.

|12.16.10 @ 4:16PM|#

Truth, need more of that at the DC office events.

|12.16.10 @ 3:10PM|#

TEH CITIZEN UNITED! COPORASHUNS ARNT PEEPLE!!

/wetpants

This meme must not die|12.16.10 @ 3:10PM|#

I wouldn't mind drinking heartily from S.E.'s furry Cupp.

Heroic Mulatto|12.16.10 @ 3:35PM|#

A fan of the "man-jaw," I see.

AlmightyJB|12.16.10 @ 3:52PM|#

Yeah, like you wouldn't hit that. She's a total babe. That was a good call for the still frame.

Heroic Mulatto|12.16.10 @ 4:01PM|#

Yeah, like you wouldn't hit that.

I would, but only because jaw reshaping surgery exists.

AlmightyJB|12.16.10 @ 6:47PM|#

Well if you're going to go to all that trouble why not just go ahead replace her mouth with a vagina?

Heroic Mulatto|12.16.10 @ 7:51PM|#

I like how you think, Mr. AlmightyJB.

CavMedic|12.16.10 @ 4:03PM|#

Infinitely better than last weeks video about the female libertarian organization (thank God they didn't decide to use Megan McArdle's face for this one).

|12.16.10 @ 4:03PM|#

You're insane. There is nothing manly about that jaw.

TGAH|12.16.10 @ 11:18PM|#

They might have been confused by the lack of lips.

Anonymous Coward|12.16.10 @ 6:24PM|#

A Little Lupe more your speed?

Warty|12.16.10 @ 3:13PM|#

I never realized Megan McArdle was an elf. So much stuff makes sense now.

|12.16.10 @ 3:19PM|#

Wait, I thought she was a gnome.

|12.16.10 @ 3:22PM|#

Didn't she marry someone around here?

|12.16.10 @ 3:24PM|#

I don't know about that, but I heard one of the Reason staff wrote a book about John McCain. Can't remember where I heard it, though.

|12.16.10 @ 3:25PM|#

She married some kobold.

|12.16.10 @ 3:34PM|#

Is that legal?

|12.16.10 @ 3:35PM|#

It is in Massachusetts.

West Texas|12.16.10 @ 3:50PM|#

She has the most enormous ears I think I have ever seen on a woman. Never noticed that until today.

But hell, I'm fat and bald and ugly with bad teeth and not nearly as smart or acclaimed as she is, so I'll just go back in my pig hole now and shut up.

|12.16.10 @ 3:13PM|#

The old road to Hell that is paved with 'good' intentions.... and Governemnt is the only contractor in town.

West Texas|12.16.10 @ 3:52PM|#

I'm stealing that. On my facebook page in 3... 2... 1... mark.

Tim|12.16.10 @ 3:23PM|#

I keep waiting for Cupp to take off the glasses, twirl around and change into Wonder Woman. Alas.

BakedPenguin|12.16.10 @ 3:23PM|#

HURR DURR COKKTALE PARTEEZ!

hmm|12.16.10 @ 6:06PM|#

DURR COKKTALE PARTEEZ!

hmm|12.16.10 @ 6:07PM|#

DURR COKKTALE

COKKTALE

COKK

You know you love the cokk.

MediaMatters|12.17.10 @ 10:39AM|#

Don't you mean... Kochtail parties?

What did Nick say to Kristin Davis? She looks very surprised.

AlmightyJB|12.16.10 @ 3:54PM|#

Yeah, the eye makeup didn't help. The bad news is they made her face too tight, the goods news is I bet her boobs are too.

Nick|12.16.10 @ 4:08PM|#

I told her I knew she had a dick.

|12.16.10 @ 7:12PM|#

What did Nick say to Kristin Davis?

Moynihan did the interviews.

And he didn't say anything...he only wore one of his hipster t-shirts that he bought when he was in his 20s on his 40ish body.

|12.16.10 @ 3:26PM|#

I would like to be directed by Stagliano in a scene with C.E. Cupp, in order to support free speech.

Mister Paleo|12.16.10 @ 3:30PM|#

Look at them thar effete, East Coast, city slicker COSMOTARIANS having a "cocktail party". They all probably had butt sex with each other after that liberal, faggity-ass get together.

This is how we do things in REAL AMERICA.

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FReeRepublic|12.17.10 @ 10:40AM|#

Hey! That's OUR complaint!

|12.16.10 @ 3:39PM|#

Jesus Christ, rectal...you're such a desperate blogwhore that you link to your own comments on reason, which then contain links to your blog. I'll assume that's because no one will go to your actual blog. I wonder how bad it is? I'll never know, since I'll never be going there.

Rectal Bleeding |12.16.10 @ 11:57PM|#

Who sez it was little?

¢ live bonzo|12.16.10 @ 3:33PM|#

The answer is, of course, "assholes." Let's go to the tape...

You're dead to me, Levy.

Good Christ, that Tierny's a bitch.

Breitbart needs new schtick.

Good Christ, that Tunku's a bitch.

S.E.'s not as hot as I heard she is.
Good Christ, that Bowdon's a bitch.

Good Christ, that Fred's a lispy bitch. (Conservatives are named "Fred.")

Seemingly endless bitch streak around 3:00.

...

Gutfeld should let Levy write all his jokes.

Kolohe|12.16.10 @ 3:53PM|#

Frankly, I thought that's how Red Eye worked.

|12.16.10 @ 5:06PM|#

Wow, maybe you should stop being a douchebag.

Booooo!|12.16.10 @ 6:49PM|#

Apparently Breitbart thinks the biggest threat to free speech is other people exercising their free speech against him. What a tool.

|12.16.10 @ 7:15PM|#

Fuck that Gutfeld should let Levy host the show.

Gutfeld was always a better writer then TV personality anyway.

Mike M.|12.16.10 @ 3:41PM|#

I love me some S.E. Cupp. She's so sweet that cupcakes are now called S.E. Cuppcakes!

West Texas|12.16.10 @ 3:59PM|#

Like a poor man's Olivia Wilde but without all the asinine politics. Sign me up.

Paul|12.16.10 @ 3:45PM|#

What's the Biggest Threat to Free Speech?

As best as I can tell from the current progressive viewpoint, not getting the government involved in the news business is the biggest threat to free speech.

Mango Punch|12.16.10 @ 3:46PM|#

1) Why was I not invited
2) Nick, how'd you like the burlesque show??

Mango Punch|12.16.10 @ 3:47PM|#

3) You totally sucked me into watching that with the freeze frame of S.E. Cupp (don't know who she is, but WOW!)

Bingo|12.16.10 @ 3:53PM|#

Agreed. Much like happy meal toys, this is sophisticated and unethical manipulation of my simple brain.

|12.16.10 @ 7:08PM|#

We can save you from yourself. A lawsuit will be filed shortly.

|12.16.10 @ 3:51PM|#

Nick never invites us to the good parties.

Mike M.|12.16.10 @ 3:56PM|#

I want juicy inside details, like who got the most drunk, that sort of thing.

|12.16.10 @ 4:04PM|#

He knows we'd only embarrass him.

Your rich uncle|12.16.10 @ 5:38PM|#

You could buy yourself 5 seats for the low price of only 50,000$

Tim|12.16.10 @ 3:56PM|#

What would a bunch of people who are PAID for their speech know about free speech?

Ha ha. Who pays them, Tim?

The Kochtopus, of course.

Tim|12.16.10 @ 4:31PM|#

As John Stagliano might say : "That milk don't pay for itself!"

Public school. There is no completely free speech, of course. Everyone's views are affected by their upbringing. But you can force kids to attend school, and give them a "free" school to attend, and once they're in there, it's like an all-you-can-brainwash buffet.

Did Kevin Williamson just come from a rave?

Booooo!|12.16.10 @ 6:45PM|#

Seriously, dude is wasted and appears to have his "cool" clothes on... K-Lo and the other self-righteous Christians at NRO will not be pleased...

West Texas|12.16.10 @ 4:06PM|#

S.E. Cupp after she met me recently.

Realist|12.16.10 @ 4:16PM|#

She was talking 'bout your ass!

West Texas|12.16.10 @ 4:22PM|#

(Hangs head in shame because the truth hurts)

Jerry|12.16.10 @ 4:17PM|#

I guess that is the size of your ego?

DesigNate|12.16.10 @ 5:48PM|#

Good God that woman is hot.

As a side note, can anyone think of one attractive woman from the left? I'm totally brainfarting on this one.

|12.16.10 @ 7:11PM|#

Mimi Roth? Maybe? She "debated" The Jacket a few months ago on Stossel.

Scratch that. Imogen Lloyd Webber. She's hot without the question mark.

Baw|12.16.10 @ 4:53PM|#

lol u mad?

|12.16.10 @ 5:30PM|#

MOAR S.E. CUPP PLZ

Terr|12.16.10 @ 6:49PM|#

The screen shot of S.E. Cupp definitely makes up for the one of Anne Heller. I have nothing else to add here. Just wanted to comment on her hotness. I didn't watch the video.

|12.16.10 @ 7:06PM|#

Interviews conducted by Michael C. Moynihan and filmed and edited by Jim Epstein

Dude i am totally going to edit this video and put my mug in it saying Moynihan is the biggest threat to free speech.

FREE HYPERBOLE NOW!!!!

|12.16.10 @ 9:25PM|#

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN THE AUTHORITY TO BRING DOWN THE WORST OF OUR GOVERNMENTS TENDENCIES UPON SOME OF THE POPULATION TO PUNISH US FOR OUR CLARITY OF SPEECH.........TO MAKE US SHUT UP OR TO PAY TO THE LOW-LIFE ADHERENTS TO PC.
YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

Gaybraham Lincoln|12.17.10 @ 12:01AM|#

BABA BOOEY! BABA BOOEY!

|12.17.10 @ 3:58PM|#

Government is less a of a threat to free speech than public opinion -- which is much less forgiving of opposing views than laws enforced by the state.

It's a matter of fact that government censorship is quite rare in comparison to the number of companies which practice voluntary censorship out of a desire not to offend members of the public, such as a company suppressing gay art or literature so as to not offend Christian conservatives, or the inverse, through suppression of material which may offensive to gays.

Another recent (and famous) example is the near uniformity of censorship by media companies of the Muhammad cartoons. There was no law in the United States prohibiting offense to Muslims -- the media companies volunteered.

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