Free Speech, The First Amendment, Petitioning For Redress
Read more articles on Politics and Writing and The Thoughts Of A Writer In New York City and Law and Legal Issues.November 6, 2009
Posted by neillevine
November 6, 2009
Posted by neillevine
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The First Amendment protects free speech.
It specifically states that the Congress shall make no law abridging freedom of speech or of the press. That means a lot of questionable things can get said or published. It gives people the right to think for themselves and writers the ability to write about things politicians might not like because they prefer the party line or some questionable ideology that might not be so comfortable in a modern world.
With the pointed exception of shouting fire in a crowded theatre, the Supreme Court used to consistently rule in favor of unlimited free speech. Of course, those were the good old days when they were supporting civil liberties. Way back when, they didn’t mention threatening criminal acts, uncivilized behavior and the like. They also didn’t protect stupid things said in school or in a job situation, unfortunately, for those unhappy with their personal situation. Those could be subject to further litigation, tending to keep the Court busy with measured rulings going forward. And in a structured, civilized modern situation, there are more limits like loudness and duration. The poor man driving an ice cream truck now has to keep it down, if you know what I mean.
Barry Barack Hussein Obama does not appear to believe in free speech, particularly for others. He now appears to be compiling an enemies list much like the long one Tricky Dick Nixon had way back in the day. Meaning if you are not an Obamanite fawner you do not have as much right to free speech as one of his acolytes. You are more likely to get the short end of the civil rights discussion as Barry Barack Hussein Obama (BBHO) defines it. In fact, you are likely to have patronage problems, let me tell you, he not being so liberal in his support of others with issues to raise that fly in the face of what he sees as a necessary scheme translating into impressing his demographic base rather than actually supporting settled law.
Along these lines, the President has gotten into nasty disputes with Rush Limbaugh and Fox Broadcasting because they do not support him. He is not much for property rights, business or management and this is where they are coming from. They are beneficiaries of the capitalist system he appears determined to muscle in on.
So he slammed them.
BBHO wants the Party line. He wants to move on in without much protest. He wants to take over. Typical one party thinking. BBHO’s liberalism extends to civil rights for his because he believes they have been denied, but, apparently, not others since he feels it is bothersome, making the right to Petition for Redress very, very important.
He may be entitled to his support of civil rights yet he does not appear to be willing to extend the same courtesies to others and this is probably not good for Democracy or free speech. It is also not smart politically in a developed democracy since media darlings, who are dependent and looking for advertisers, can sway opinions faster than people change clothes. Perhaps he can learn to live and let live. Perhaps he can stop trying to make everyone poor.
BBHO also has problems with facts. This could be called lying. But as Joe Wilson, Republican of South Carolina learned, identifying obvious falsehoods can lead to a sharp rebuke, making it free speech for BBHO and not for the right honorable political opposition or others of that persuasion. You see there are politicians who believe their lies are protected, although in business this could be called fraud and deceit.
Politicians have a habit of acting like their falsehoods are gospel leading me to the conclusion, to paraphrase George Steinbrenner, that their are born liars, there are convicted liars and then there are politicians, who are in a class all by themselves, believing in true lies and motivation over.
They view their game as motivating people. From where I am, I look for reliability. There is clearly a conflict.
Not to worry. I know the difference and believe I, like other more sophisticated voters have coping mechanisms, including exercising my right to free speech.
That is just one purpose of this essay on speaking up for yourself and utilizing the First Amendment. It is not just for politicians. It is also for others who feel they are oppressed and set upon despite Barry Barack’s proclivities to the contrary.
Ask yourself “Where is the equality?” and where. The Party has gotten its hands on the public purse strings and is spreading the gravy around but I do not believe this is good economic policy.
It may be what interests Barry Barack Hussein Obama, based on current experience but it is not good for the country.
Of course, he could readily and easily prove otherwise, especially by taking the Right to Petition For Redress of Grievances seriously, another flavor of free speech he seems less than eagerly interested in. Let me tell you.
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