“In the United States of America, satire is protected speech, even if the object of the satire doesn’t get it.”

—  Al Franken

As quoted in "The Trump Era Is Al Franken’s Time to Shine" by Graham Vyse, in New Republic (2 February 2017) https://newrepublic.com/article/140342/trump-era-al-frankens-time-shine

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "In the United States of America, satire is protected speech, even if the object of the satire doesn’t get it." by Al Franken?
Al Franken photo
Al Franken13
American comedian and politician 1951

Related quotes

Newton Lee photo

“Satire in media such as The Interview and Charlie Hebdo walk a fine line between freedom of speech and dangerous incitement.”

Newton Lee American computer scientist

Counterterrorism and Cybersecurity: Total Information Awareness (2nd Edition), 2015

Juvenal photo

“It is difficult not to write satire.”
Difficile est saturam non scribere.

Juvenal book Satires

I, line 30.
Satires, Satire I

Tom Lehrer photo

“I think the people who say we need satire often mean, "We need satire of them, not of us."”

Tom Lehrer (1928) American singer-songwriter and mathematician

AV Club interview (2000)

Taliesin photo

“I have fled in the shape of a raven of prophetic speech,
in the shape of a satirizing fox,
in the shape of a sure swift,
in the shape of a squirrel vainly hiding.”

Taliesin (534–599) Welsh bard

The Tale of Taleisin
Context: I have fled in the shape of a raven of prophetic speech,
in the shape of a satirizing fox,
in the shape of a sure swift,
in the shape of a squirrel vainly hiding.
I have fled in the shape of a red deer,
in the shape of iron in a fierce fire,
in the shape of a sword sowing death and disaster,
in the shape of a bull, relentlessly struggling.

Vladimir Nabokov photo

“Satire is a lesson, parody is a game.”

Vladimir Nabokov book Strong Opinions

Interview with Nabokov http://lib.ru/NABOKOW/Inter06.txt_with-big-pictures.html conducted on September 25, 27, 28, 29, 1966, at Montreux, Switzerland and published in Wisconsin Studies in Contemporary Literature, vol. VIII, no. 2, spring 1967. <br class="br">Source: Strong Opinions

François de La Rochefoucauld photo

“Satire is at once the most agreeable and most dangerous of mental qualities. It always pleases when it is refined, but we always fear those who use it too much, yet satire should be allowed when unmixed with spite, and when the person satirised can join in the satire. It is unfortunate to have a satirical turn without affecting to be pleased or without loving to jest.”

François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680) French author of maxims and memoirs

Reflections on Various Subjects (1665–1678), II. On Difference of Character

Lenny Bruce photo

“Satire is tragedy plus time. You give it enough time, the public, the reviewers will allow you to satirize it. Which is rather ridiculous, when you think about it.”

Lenny Bruce (1925–1966) comedian and social critic

Source: The Essential Lenny Bruce: his original unexpurgated satirical routines

Noam Chomsky photo

“In many respects, the United States is a great country. Freedom of speech is protected more than in any other country. It is also a very free society. In America, the professor talks to the mechanic. They are in the same category.”

Noam Chomsky (1928) american linguist, philosopher and activist

Edward Young photo

“Tomorrow is a satire on today,
And shows its weakness.”

Edward Young (1683–1765) English poet

This is a quotation from "The Old Man's Relapse", a poem addressed to Edward Young, but written by Lord Melcombe.
Misattributed

John Dryden photo

“A satirical poet is the check of the laymen on bad priests.”

John Dryden book Fables, Ancient and Modern

Preface to the Fables.
Fables, Ancient and Modern (1700)

Related topics