Ake, I absolutely agree that free speech and thought must be defended otherwise we play into the hands of those who use suppression of ideas against us. That's why I'm against calling on the state to ban fascist organisations because historically those are same the powers the state readily uses to suppress dissent and radicalism. Ordinary people using their own power of thought, word and deed to oppose and expose fascism for what it is at a grassroots level is an entirely different matter. Part of the process is discourse and the battle of ideas. Personally I will use some of my own free speech to counter the views of divisive, authoritarian organisations who use their freedom of speech to promote themselves dishonestly in order further their visions of a fascist state. Luckily, we aren't in the position the Spanish found themselves in in the thirties and I agree that we are unlikely to be. Part of ensuring that is to continue to nip the ideas of the far right in the bud with better counter arguments...