Nat Hentoff (speech, abortion, examples, amendment)

[r small]

Jazz critic and civil libertarian Nat Hentoff passed away on Jan. 7 at age 91. Nat was probably the most influential and prominent figure in the jazz field there ever was that wasn't a musician himself. He was equally well known as a fierce champion of civil liberties and the Bill of Rights, particularly the 1st amendment. Nat was generally considered to be left of center politically and was an early and strong advocate for civil rights. He was also pro-life on the abortion issue. This put him at odds with many people on the left. This and his commitment to freedom of speech issues. He wrote dozens, maybe hundreds, of newspaper columns (under the heading "Sweet Land of Liberty") citing examples of pro-life speakers being shouted down on college campuses (or not allowed to speak at all). Unlike many on the left (and the right) Nat believed in freedom of speech for all points of view. Over the course of more than forty years I have read hundreds of his opinion columns, jazz album liner notes, books, etc. A great American and one of my all-time favorites. He will be missed. R.I.P. Nat.

[shadowne]

There is already a thread on this, right after he died. Maybe mods can merge?

[r small]

Originally Posted by shadowne

There is already a thread on this, right after he died. Maybe mods can merge?

Yes a merge would be fine.