This is a MUST WATCH speech for every European, as well as Australian, Canadian and other US democratic allies.
1) Free Speech is a new US Foreign Policy Requirement
The US is setting out a clear new policy that it expects its democratic allies to have free speech, because it is the bedrock of the US & its allies shared democratic values.
The corollary is clear - No Free Speech - No US Military Protection.
If Europe is no more free and democratic than Russia, why should the US protect Europe from Russia?
Indeed in Russia you may well be arrested for criticising Putin, but you won't be arrested for praying silently.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi backed this up yesterday with specific criticism of UK's draconian anti-free speech laws.
As Vance said "A new Sheriff is in Town".
2) 1st Amendment goes Global
After Elon Musk's tussles with Brazil, the UK and Australia over Free Speech, the Trump Administration has realised that, because of the global nature of communications, the US First Amendment must be enforced globally (at least with democratic allies) lest it be lost in the US itself.
3) HIVE is Alive; Reddit is a censourious cesspool.
On Hive we have preserved free speech through the darkest hours of tyrannical censorship online and all should applaud a return to the
classic free speech position of Voltaire:
"I may disagree with you, but I defend to the death your right to say it."
Or in Hive-speak - "I may downvote you but I will never censor you."
Unlike the cesspit of Reddit where a
fellow Hivean reposted may last Hive post for it to be taken down with this Orwellian message.
I'm so thankful for Hive and that I've never wasted my time on platforms like Reddit.
I have no problem with others re-posting my blogs there - that is their free speech prerogative.
But I think we are wasting our time engaging with a platform so contrary to our values.
Essentially Vance is warning the Europeans of the same thing. If you don't share a commitment to free speech and free elections then there are no "shared democratic values" worth defending.
