The Intercept Rediscovers Free Speech, Ignores Its Cost
The Intercept's piece on 'No Kings Protests' is a fine ode to American free speech principles. What it conveniently sidesteps is the uncomfortable reality that American tax dollars, through military aid and political donations, frequently underwrite regimes that crush dissent elsewhere. For example, the Biden administration's 2023 budget included $3.8 billion in military aid to Israel, despite its
documented human rights abuses against Palestinians and suppression of peaceful protest through military occupation (OpenSecrets.org, AIPAC lobbying reports). It's fascinating how outlets celebrate abstract freedom of speech at home while remaining largely silent on specific, concrete policies that fund crackdowns on expression abroad. One might wonder if the 'No Kings' sentiment only applies to
rulers without a formidable K Street lobbying presence. How many 'democratic values' can be asserted before the defense contracts and campaign contributions ($ENATE_MEMBER A took over $700,000 from pro-Israel PACs in 2022-2023, per OpenSecrets.org) make any such claim utterly meaningless?