The fascism of being offended

First Amendment flameout

Free speech is about the honest ex change of ideas, a fundamental principle of liberal democracy.

So why are allegedly liberal city Democrats seeking to silence speech?

On Thursday, after a 48-hour full-court press from the legislative and political establishment, a Soho anti-abortion billboard ad was taken down.

The ad's text, by a picture of a young black girl, read, "The most dangerous place for an African-American is in the womb," with a Web site for more info.

Sure, the rhetoric is provocative.

But facts are indeed stubborn things.

* African-Americans make up 13 percent of the US population -- but account for more than 30 percent of all abortions, according to the Guttmacher Insitute.

* In New York City, 60 percent of black pregnancies end in abortion -- three abortions per two live births -- according to the Health Department.

Cause for concern?

What do you think?

Should you be allowed to think?

Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Public Advocate Bill de Blasio -- serious mayoral hopefuls both -- agitated hard against the board, having found its message "offensive."

Which is code for: "Shut up, go away. We don't like what you have to say, and we'll be damned before you say it."

And it's not just the billboard.

Quinn is a primary sponsor of a bill -- scheduled for a full council vote Wednesday -- that would impose major free-speech restrictions on city crisis pregnancy centers.

Without any evidence that these centers -- which counsel women on alternatives to abortion -- act irresponsibly or deceptively, Quinn's bill would require them to post signs that abortions or contraception are not provided; tell clients a doctor isn't available, even if he's temporarily off-site; and impose such strict confidentiality requirements that operators would be unable to report rape or prostitution to the police.

But why are Quinn and her colleagues so fretful?

Is New York City's 41 percent abortion rate not high enough for them?

Was the billboard's message so subversive that it had to be burned?

Along with the First Amendment?

But, these politicians are thrilled at using public funds to display a crucifix in urine and the Virgin Mary splattered with feces. But, challenge their religious icon abortion and free speech goes right out the window. Since this was a sign paid for by a private entity and bought from a private entity and does not encourage any illegal action the government has no business being involved.