Quick Fisk

YOU ARE VISITING THE OLD MALKIN(S)WATCH. THAT'S FANTASTIC. PLEASE VISIT THE NEW MALKIN(S)WATCH WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE.

Cute:

In response to yesterday's post on Berkeley, the "birthplace of the Free Speech Movement," Steven Den Beste e-mails:

Since when is Berkeley the "birthplace of the Free Speech Movement"? I was under the impression that started with the people who pushed to get the First Amendment ratified, way back in 1790.

Have I missed something here?

Apparently you have, Steven.

The Free Speech Movement was a student protest which began on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley in 1964 under the informal leadership of student Mario Savio and others. In protests unprecedented at the time, students demanded that the university administration lift a ban on on-campus political activities and recognize the students' right to free speech and academic freedom. The Free Speech Movement is often cited as a starting point for the many student protest movements of the 1960s and early 1970s.

I'm surprised Michelle didn't set Steven straight. After all, she's a former Berkeley girl and she's extremely conflicted about the right of political speech on campus (hint: conservatives good, liberals bad.)

Not to mention the so-obvious-it's-barely-worth-mentioning fact that ever since 1790, the first amendment has been under assault - and not just by conservatives, either. Flippantly suggesting that free speech is stare decisis is a sign of severe brainwashing.

Surprise.

Update: Ryan has a related story.