◆ SpookStack

™ "In the first place, what is primarily at issue here is the fundamental American principle of free speech, Under our Constitution, any citizen has the right to express his views, however unpopular, short of those that are slanderous, affect the public safety, offend public decency, or constitute ‘a clear and present danger’ to the country. This is probably the most signi- ficant difference between the American and Russian . political systems. To the extent this difference is narrowed -~ to the extent we adopt the very tactics that are so repugnant to us -- we weaken to that extent the fight to maintain our freedon. "Beyond this, American fair play dictates that we give even to those with whom we may violently disagree, the courtesy of attention and, unless the evidence to the contrary is overwhelming, not to impugn either their intelligence or motives. Indeed, to do otherwise inhibits the exercise of free speech, whereas to remain a vigorous and domestic society we must encourage it. "In this context I would like to review what happened at the meeting in question. My son had asked but was denied permission to appear on the program. However, although comments were not directly solicited by the chairman, Kenneth was permitted to ask a question from the floor. When he indicated that some respectable publications had reported that this film, sponsored by the House Un-American Activities Committee, did not show the true picture of the demonstration against the committee hearings in California, @ member of the audience (as you reported) shouted: ‘We don't have to listen to that stuff' and left the room, followed by others. After the meeting, remarks such as ‘Why don't you go to Russia?' ‘We should run you out of town on a yrailt’ and 'This is a democracy, — you can't talk like that!' were directed at my Son. \ "Secondly, let us consider the substance of my son's remarks; They were limited to thos that have been expressed by responsible, patriotic organizations and publications. Among these are the American Civil Liberties Union, to which both President Kennedy and _ former Vice-President Nixon have addressed statements. . firmly approving its broad objectives; the Washington