As I read news stories this week there seem to be a central theme that jumped out at me, see if you can see the pattern...
Anti-Chavez TV Channel owner arrested. (Yahoo Finance)
France moves toword partial burqa ban. (CNN)
Protest Cancels Coulter Speech in Ottawa. (FOX)
MSNBC Host: Time for "Socialism" In Talk Radio (Real Clear Politics)
China Condemns decision by Google to lift censorship. (BBC)
Rep. Weiner: Palin is Stoking Liberal Hate (CBS)
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
It's a single sentence that is 45 words long and has become a central backbone to our Constitution, the First Amendment to the Constitution.
There are limitations of course, to the First Amendment like you cannot yell "FIRE!" in a crowded movie theater or have your assembly on a busy airport runway. For the most part you can say or write anything you want in this country. For that we are blessed.
I believe that other people around the world don't really understand how good free speech is and how it can cultivate ideas. I was watching a Canadian reporter on FOX, talk about the Ann Coulter incident (mentioned above). She said that they (Canadians) had limitations on "free speech". That certian things could be deemed "hate speech" in their country. She went on to say "that is the way we like it." It took me a second to grasp the idea that some people actually like the idea that they are not allowed to say what they want (even if considered "hate speech"). The only thing I could figure is that they must not have ever had true free speech to know the difference.
I write this blog post without fear of being fined, jailed or put to death. There will be no soldiers or police coming for me. I can look up information on the Internet. I can disagree with the government. I can give a speech at a University, I can assemble with other people and protest. I can go to the church I want, when I want. I can petition the government. I am free and I owe it to the men who wrote that one simple Amendment.
I read a bumper sticker once that said "If you can read this thank a teacher." That may be true but, if you are reading that sticker, while it is attached to an automobile for the whole world to see, you may want to thank a founding father.
Anti-Chavez TV Channel owner arrested. (Yahoo Finance)
France moves toword partial burqa ban. (CNN)
Protest Cancels Coulter Speech in Ottawa. (FOX)
MSNBC Host: Time for "Socialism" In Talk Radio (Real Clear Politics)
China Condemns decision by Google to lift censorship. (BBC)
Rep. Weiner: Palin is Stoking Liberal Hate (CBS)
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
It's a single sentence that is 45 words long and has become a central backbone to our Constitution, the First Amendment to the Constitution.
There are limitations of course, to the First Amendment like you cannot yell "FIRE!" in a crowded movie theater or have your assembly on a busy airport runway. For the most part you can say or write anything you want in this country. For that we are blessed.
I believe that other people around the world don't really understand how good free speech is and how it can cultivate ideas. I was watching a Canadian reporter on FOX, talk about the Ann Coulter incident (mentioned above). She said that they (Canadians) had limitations on "free speech". That certian things could be deemed "hate speech" in their country. She went on to say "that is the way we like it." It took me a second to grasp the idea that some people actually like the idea that they are not allowed to say what they want (even if considered "hate speech"). The only thing I could figure is that they must not have ever had true free speech to know the difference.
I write this blog post without fear of being fined, jailed or put to death. There will be no soldiers or police coming for me. I can look up information on the Internet. I can disagree with the government. I can give a speech at a University, I can assemble with other people and protest. I can go to the church I want, when I want. I can petition the government. I am free and I owe it to the men who wrote that one simple Amendment.
I read a bumper sticker once that said "If you can read this thank a teacher." That may be true but, if you are reading that sticker, while it is attached to an automobile for the whole world to see, you may want to thank a founding father.
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