Marking 50th Anniversary of Our Arrival in the U.S., with a Free-Speech-Related Matter

On Oct. 8, 1975, my parents brought my brother Sasha and me to the U.S. As one might gather, Oct. 8 (and June 13, the anniversary of the day we left the Soviet Union earlier that year) are the most significant holidays on our family calendar.

I'm therefore particularly delighted that, by sheer coincidence, I'll be doing something related to my research on free speech on the 50th anniversary of that day: I was asked to testify at a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on free speech and government pressure on social media platforms. Should be an interesting program, which I'm honored to be a part of.

Comments

[Joe_dallas]

Congratulations for your parents foresight to get you here.

"free speech and government pressure on social media platforms."
Government pressure on free speech is one of those fascist activities.

[Swede425]

Congrats!

[dwb68]

Congratulations!

[Mr. Bumble]

Curious. How has your take on America changed (if it has) in 50 years?

[Stupid Government Tricks]

I know someone who came from Lebanon many years ago as a teenager, and says what he most noticed on arrival was how good cheeseburgers were.

[apedad]

From the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing notice:

Sen. Cruz: "It is dangerous for the government to abuse its authority and act as the speech police," (then only invites right wing speakers to the committee meeting).

[Mr. Bumble]

Eugene is "right wing"?

[Stupid Government Tricks]

To lefties, almost everyone is.

Besides, what's the point of inviting avowed enemies of free speech to a hearing on free speech?

[JohnSmith97]

When you are a communist, everyone that isn't a communist is "right wing"

[DDHarriman]

What would a leftie testify too? The need to protect people from hate speech?

[Joe_dallas]

Apedad
Probably not very many leftist in favor of free speech.

Remember the opposition to CU
Remember the Biden administration pressure on internet platform

[David Nieporent]

The ACLU was on the side of Citizens United.

[VinniUSMC]

Hoax. I've seen your picture, and you're not a day over 24! 😉

Congrats EV.

[SRG2]

Mazel tov!

[Paladin_44]

Congratulations. Glad that you've joined us.
Now please have your brother resume his poetry reading sessions! They were a welcome sidebar during the early COVID days.

[y81]

How do the dangers of government pressure on social media platforms compare to the dangers of government pressure on universities? (I guess Cruz won't be holding hearings on the latter issue anytime soon, LOL.)

[JohnSmith97]

I'm surprised our local euro expert on everything US hasn't commented on the latest UK arrest for a social media post that offended pro-hamas folks.

After all, he did tell us that the UK has far more freedom of speech then the US.

[Flight-ER-Doc]

Congratulations, and of course, welcome.

[Dan Schiavetta]

Eugene,

This country is better because you are in it. Welcome!

And like my wife, you're a Feb. 29 baby. Although she's "two" years older than you.

[Alpheus W Drinkwater]

Congratulations! I hope at the end of this current administration, the country is still committed to free speech. Seems doubtful, at this point.

[Old Smokin' Egg]

Let's hope that the outcome of these hearings is legislation that significantly reduces the power of the Executive Branch to pressure individuals, corporations, universities, and anyone else into shutting off speech that's not to the liking of the party in power.

Senator Cruz presumably has the wisdom, or at least basic common sense, to realize that his party won't hold the reins of government forever, and that any effective measures to prevent a left-leaning administration from inhibiting our freedom of speech must necessarily constrain a Republican administration as well. We can only hope that he can draw enough votes from members of Congress who, on the one hand, haven't got their tongues firmly up Trump's nether orifice, and, on the other, don't accept the notion that failing to use someone's preferred pronouns is every bit as violent as shooting a speaker in the neck.