When free speech damages democracy

If you were at the Rodeo Parade in Boulder on Aug. 28, you probably saw it: A silver pickup truck driving down Main Street, its bed festooned with two flags—one, the United States stars and stripes, the other bearing the words, “F— Biden.”

And you probably thought something along the lines of either, “Damn straight,” or, “That shouldn’t be there.” It was difficult not to take sides, hard not to feel something: Offense and outrage; or recognition and, perhaps, pride.

In that way, the flag did its job. We were instantly polarized. Right and wrong, us and them.