A lot of politicians talk about free speech. But then you wonder if they genuinely even understand the concept. Particularly those on the liberal side of the aisle who seem all too cool with trying to shut down free speech on social media.
The Biden team got shut down for their efforts at censorship in a landmark free speech case. But as we saw, they’re still trying to appeal that in court. They got smacked down again on Monday when the judge denied the Biden team’s motion to stay the injunction against the efforts at censorship pending the appeal.
But the test of whether or not you are a true believer is if you walk the walk and don’t just talk the talk on the subject. Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy showed he walks that walk in a terrific response to an upset, disruptive woman who started yelling during one of his town hall events in Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ramaswamy was in the middle of speaking when the woman started yelling in the audience. “Protect the women,” she yelled, among other things.
I’m in Iowa right now with Vivek Ramaswamy who was just interrupted by a single mother who believes it’s her body and her choice. Watch and hear his response. pic.twitter.com/8Tg4vVFPiz
— Link Lauren (@itslinklauren) July 11, 2023
It looked like security was trying to escort her out, but that’s when Ramaswamy stopped them and gave her that opportunity, “I want to give her a chance to speak. You want to come back here?”
The woman came up to the front and was crying.
“If somebody non-consensually rapes me, I’m not having their child,” the woman, Kayla Crist, said. “It’s my choice; it’s my body.” She also noted she was a single mother and that she wasn’t receiving any help.
Ramaswamy demonstrated that sometimes kindness is the best way to respond to wrath by listening to what she had to say, and praising her for taking on the task of motherhood, saying it was one of the “most important things” and it took “courage” to speak out.
I want to say you’re doing one of the most important things…a mother raising more children in this world. Even if we have our disagreements, I want to say thank you for that. So thank you.
He then encouraged the audience to clap for her. “Part of what it means to live in this country is that we have free speech. We get to speak our minds openly, even if we all don’t agree on everything.”
He later posted about the incident and noted that he was a “free speech absolutist. Especially for those who disagree with me.”
I’m a free speech absolutist. Especially for those who disagree with me. https://t.co/N8hWBChO0y
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) July 11, 2023
Exactly. It isn’t about whether you agree with her or what she has to say. Let her speak if she isn’t a danger to anyone that security needs to address. Then you address what she has to say with more speech about why it is right or wrong. It isn’t even about convincing her necessarily; it’s about showing that you believe in what you preach. Democratic politicians shut down those whose speech they don’t like, as we saw with the censorship from the Biden team. He may be way behind in the polls, but Ramaswamy demonstrated that he is a true believer in principle.
Vivek handled this beautifully. he doesn’t just talk about free speech, he practices it with kindness and dignity. https://t.co/SaxOYaDWXe
— DCMorrow (@Squeetipie) July 11, 2023
What an amazing answer and well handled situation. Too often we just dismiss those we don’t agree with. Loved how @VivekGRamaswamy ended that with grace and honesty.
— Skibumm 🇺🇸 (@skibumm2024) July 11, 2023
That fat pathetic loser couldn’t get a man to hit that even if she paid for it.
I like this guy. The lady needs more information. If you are raped go to the ER and you will receive medication to prevent a pregnancy. If you choose not to go to the ER then go to a drug store and get the plan B pill which is the same medication given in the ER to prevent pregnancy. The health department also has the same medication for free for poor people.
God bless her for raising the child she CHOSE to have. Shame on the deadbeat dad.
We live in a world of choices and consequences. At least for now.
So Mr. Ramaswamy’s idea of free speech is letting one person disrupt another person’s event. He might change his mind if 30 activists show up at his town meeting, each trying to get attention at the same time, the same way this woman did.
Trumps VP!
I’m trying to imagine how Joe or Kamala would have reacted to this lady! Kamala would have started one of her word salads, and Joe………well, he would fall off the stage or give one of his smurky smiles! Nice to see a politician who has empathy for a person.