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New Kirsten Powers Book Features Ricochet’s Greg Lukianoff and FIRE
Today, Regnery Publishing is releasing The Silencing: How the Left is Killing Free Speech, the new book by Fox News contributor, USA Today columnist and, yes, lifelong liberal Kirsten Powers. In it, she takes the hard Left to task for its efforts to stifle dissenting views, delegitimize those who disagree with them, and impose ideological conformity on the nation. She devotes special attention to the crusade to silence alternate viewpoints on college campuses, a section of the book that focuses heavily on Ricochet’s own Greg Lukianoff and the work of his organization, FIRE (the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education). From the Washington Times:
“It’s easier for the illiberal left to demonize their opponents and sanctify themselves as higher moral beings that treat differences of opinions respectfully,” Ms. Powers says, noting that the left reserves a “special strain of strident wrath” for Christians.
“Illiberal feminists can’t seem to fathom that some people actually believe an unborn human matters or that abortion is harmful to women. Sometimes the mask comes off and what we see is that illiberal feminism is often driven by a base hatred of Christianity,” the author explains.
She also says the left has become Orwellian indeed, policing the speech and opinions of public officials, conservatives and everyday folk in an effort to delegitimize their views. And they are very specific with their maneuvers.
“Non-white conservatives are called sellouts and race traitors. Conservative women are treated like dim-witted, self-loathing puppets of the patriarchy, or nefarious gender traitors. Men who express the wrong political or ideological view are demonized as hostile interlopers into the public debate,” Ms. Powers says. “The illiberal left sees the bullying and squelching of free speech as a righteous act.”
Pick up a copy of the book today to show your appreciation for Kirsten’s brave stand against the illiberal left and your support for Greg and FIRE’s valiant efforts to ensure that college campuses don’t suppress the free exchange of ideas.
Published in General
Kirsten Powers is the sort of Democrat whose inclusion in debates is actually productive. Even when she is wrong, she argues logically, humbly, and in good faith. She is simultaneously assertive and civil. If FOX News held all guests and contributors to her level (including conservatives), it would be worth watching more often. Of course, it’s a bonus that she’s one of the prettiest women on TV news.
As I understand it, her awakening to the vicious suppression of the Left coincided with her conversion to Christian faith. Hopefully, we will see more awakenings as liberal ideology continues to attack its own.
If I didn’t already have a stack of unread books (many by Ricochet authors), I might pick this up.
Amen, Aaron. Hooray for Kirsten Powers. We need more like her.
It’s nice to see these arguments being made by a liberal. Am I right, however, in my observation that she didn’t make these arguments until after she converted to Christianity? If so, she’s too easily dismissed as someone who didn’t speak up until it suited her self-interests. I’m happy she’s joined the good fight on this issue, but I can’t help but wish she’d written this book when her arguments would have had so much more impact. Good on her, nevertheless.
What’s it going to take to have her outright switch to our side? Can we chip in for a nice gift basket or something?
Anyone who is from Alaska can’t be all bad.
I think she does more good where she is. But I’d contribute to the gift basket.
A liberal with a conscience. A novelty. Wait until they invite her to a dinner party, as the main course.
Agreed. It also takes a lot to consistently give your best performances on your opponents’ turf. You have to give her credit, even if her perspective is from left field…
If only Natalie Portman would convert to Christianity.
What Powers says is reminiscent of the Democratic Party of 30-40 years ago. A sense of fairness and patriotism. It’s the Alan Dershowitz school of liberalism. A half step, better than none at all I suppose. She distinguishes between hard left and soft (traditional liberals I guess) left. They can make a point here and there, but can’t break with or influence the direction of the party. Problem is there is no soft left left. And if there is they keep their mouths shut. They are chained to the left by time in grade, friends and family ties, habit, money, ego. Hard to leave home. Powers celebrity is based on brains and beauty. Dershowitz on brains. They get a pass from the left, but know how far they can go. They can’t risk losing standing with their power base. Political patronage is a deep hook. It’s not only $, but identity.