Glenn started the show by tackling the comments made by Rep. Steve Cohen from Tennessee where he likened the Republicans to “Goebbels”. He’s not mad about it, because it ties into the rancher/herd analogy. It’s propaganda.

Cohen views the American people as cattle who need to be governed by enlightened despots. If they aren’t going to be ruled by enlightened despots, then fascists or dictators will rule instead. Those are the options, because the herd isn’t capable of ruling itself.

So what does Glenn think should happen? Should Cohen be shouted down? Glenn doesn’t think so. He sees this as an opportunity for an open dialogue with Cohen.

Glenn said we should be encouraging the free flow of speech. People will always say stupid things, but we should not shield people or stifle speech. We used to put up with a lot more harsh language.

More on the story here.

Glenn then showed how much worst political speech was in the past. Some highlights?

THOMAS PAINE ON JOHN ADAMS: “It has been the political career of this man to begin with hypocrisy, proceed with arrogance, and finish with contempt.”

THE NEW ENGLAND COURANT on the election of Thomas Jefferson (probably around (1800)
“…Murder, robbery, rape, adultery and incest will be openly taught and practiced, the air will be rent with the cries of distress, the soil soaked with blood, and the nation black with crimes. Where is the heart that can contemplate such a scene without shivering with horror?”

FEDERALIST PREACHERS ON JEFFERSON
“ARE YOU PREPARED TO SEE YOUR DWELLING IN FLAMES, HOARY HEADS BATHED IN BLOOD, FEMALE CHASTITY VIOLATED, OR CHILDREN WRITHING ON THE PIKE AND THE HALBERD?”

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS ATTACKING JOHN RANDOLPH (POLITICIAN)
John Quincy Adams who, along with his father, the second President, has been bitterly attacked by Randolph, quoted Ovid against the Latter:
“His face is ashen, gaunt his whole body, His breath is green with gall; His tongue drips poison.”
Ovid (43 BC-AD 17/18), applied by John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) to John Randolph (a politician)

CHICAGO TIMES ON LINCOLN’S 2ND INAUGURAL ADDRESS:
“…We did not conceive it possible that even Mr. Lincoln would produce a paper so slipshod, so loose-joined, so puerile, not alone in literary construction, but in its ideas, its sentiments, its grasp. He has outdone himself. He has literally come out of the end of his own horn. By the side of it, mediocrity is superb.”
This statement is from the Chicago Times on March 6, 1865 in response to Lincoln’s second inaugural address [Source: Abraham Lincoln, a press portrait: By Herbert Mitgang]