Bret Stephens: People who cannot speak freely will not be able to think clearly

This Fourth of July, it’s worth taking stock of the state of freedom — and of our attitudes toward it — at home and around the world.In Russia, Vladimir Putin just won a “plebiscite” ratifying his right to stay in power until the year 2036. In Hong Kong, a new security law came into effect, effectively putting an end to the right of peaceful protest. In Poland, a runoff election will decide if the country continues its slide toward illiberalism.In the United States,