Freedom of speech weaker outside U.S.

The IHT has a good article comparing America's freedom of speech to the rest of the West. Compared to Canada and Europe, the U.S. enjoys much stronger freedom of speech laws. A Canadian lawyer notes: "We don't subscribe to a marketplace of ideas. Americans as a whole are more tough-minded and more prepared for verbal combat."

While the article spends a lot of time on protections given to reprehensible Nazi and KKK-style hate speech, it doesn't spend much time exploring the negative societal impact of limiting speech. As Mark Steyn -- whose book, America Alone, was excerpted in the Canadian magazine Maclean's and triggered a hate crimes litigation -- puts it: "Western governments are becoming increasingly comfortable with the regulation of opinion. The First Amendment really does distinguish the U.S., not just from Canada but from the rest of the Western world."

Many qualities distinguish the U.S. from other countries, but it's unfortunate that freedom of speech is one of them. How can liberty be preserved for future generations in the West if this most basic of freedoms is not protected? I doubt that it can. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Founders for enshrining this protection in the Constitution.

Rich kids don't stay rich

Robert Frank at the WSJ writes in a fascinating post today that the children of wealthy families often end up squandering their inheritances:

What if growing up rich actually has disadvantages?... Eventually, I argue, their money will run out. And much of the inherited wealth in America will flow back to people who actually earn it — as it has throughout history. This is what makes wealth in America dynamic, rather than dynastic.

How do u txt msg "we r all going 2 die"?

Evidently cell phones are wiping out bees. Which means that we are not far behind.

(Someone should notify John Derbyshire.)

All the troubles in the world

Is it just me, or is today a Derbyshire* kind of day? Nothing but bad news as far as the eye can see:

• The Dow plunged 416 points and stock markets around the globe tumbled on economic news from China...
• A Taliban suicide bomber killed up to 14 servicemen in an attempted assassination of Dick Cheney in Afghanistan...
• Iran says it will "never" cease its uranium enrichment program...
• One-fourth of all women and 45% of those aged 20-24 are estimated to have the human papillomavirus STD...
• Studies of college students suggest we are raising an entire generation of narcissists...
• And North America's power supply is at code red thanks to Al Gore's mansion (does he leave the AC running 24/7 for his penguin army?)...

* Note: John Derbyshire is the NRO columnist who once asserted that human destruction is inevitable.