When it suits them, political liberals (as opposed to true liberals, who believe in liberty) love to praise the virtues of free speech and debate — “speaking truth to power” and all that. But when they’re holding power, those who disagree with them are told to shut up or else be prepared to take consequences ranging from the impugning of motives to governmental harassment.
The current argument over global warming is a perfect example. Walter Williams writes here about the frantic efforts by the climate alarmists to squelch the opposition.
The Marxists, of course, did the same thing. There was no debating with people who didn’t buy the Marxist analysis. You simply labeled them as “class enemies” and sent them off to the Gulag.
Trying to intimidate those who disagree is a pretty good indication that you doubt that your arguments can withstand criticism.