Whether you care about jazz, civil liberties, freedom of speech throughout history, or the First Amendment on campus, be sure to check out this new interview with jazz critic and civil liberties legend Nat Hentoff. Nat, who is on the board of advisors for my organization, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), never shies away from controversy, and in this wide-ranging interview he discusses his opinions on everything from Oliver Wendell Holmes to Artie Shaw to Illinois Nazis.
He was no fan of the Bush administration and is no fan of the Obama administration, and he believes that our civil liberties are more threatened now than at any time in his nearly 90 years on this planet. As he approaches his 10th decade, he plans to write in Edward Snowden for president at the next election. Nat has never been afraid to be "out of step" and never apologizes for freedom of speech. Modern civil liberties advocates can learn (and largely have learned) a lot from this West Village icon. Check out the interview with Nat below:
He was no fan of the Bush administration and is no fan of the Obama administration, and he believes that our civil liberties are more threatened now than at any time in his nearly 90 years on this planet. As he approaches his 10th decade, he plans to write in Edward Snowden for president at the next election. Nat has never been afraid to be "out of step" and never apologizes for freedom of speech. Modern civil liberties advocates can learn (and largely have learned) a lot from this West Village icon. Check out the interview with Nat below: