As long as I am mayor of this city the great industries are secure. We hear about constitutional rights, free speech and the free press. Every time I hear these words I say to myself, 'That man is a Red, that man is a Communist.' You never hear a real American talk like that.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A politician equates free speech advocacy with communism and threatens industry.
- In plain terms
- The mayor claims free speech speakers are communists and promises industry security.
- What can you take from it?
- Political leaders may suppress free speech to protect industrial interests.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does power affect free speech?
- When is criticism seen as subversive?
Another view
This reflects a specific historical moment rather than universal truth.
More from Frank Hague
Listen, here is the law! I am the law! These boys go to work!
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