The First Amendment is part of the Bill of Rights which the Constitutional Convention added to the Constitution in 1787 at the demand of several of the delegates who wanted to ensure limiting the power of the government with specific definitions of civil liberties. The Bill of Rights was adopted by the states in December 1791.
First Amendment:
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 appears that some school officials, teachers, and parents have assumed that religious expression of any type is either inappropriate or forbidden altogether in public schools; however, nothing in the First Amendment converts our public schools into religion-free zones.”
-Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States of America
"The Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have [to] bare the secrets of government and inform the people."
-Hugo Black
"Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost."
-Thomas Jefferson
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Showing posts with label first amendment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label first amendment. Show all posts
Friday, October 16, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Quotes on Freedom of Speech
Freedom of speech? Are there those who would seek to deprive us of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution? Here are some quotes on the subject...
“Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.”
—Harry Truman
"Once the government can demand of a publisher the names of the purchasers of his publications, the free press as we know it disappears. Then the spectre of a government agent will look over the shoulder of everyone who reads. The purchase of a book or pamphlet today may result in a subpoena tomorrow. Fear of criticism goes with every person into the bookstall. The subtle, imponderable pressures of the orthodox lay hold. Some will fear to read what is unpopular, what the powers-that-be dislike. When the light of publicity may reach any student, any teacher, inquiry will be discouraged. The books and pamphlets that are critical of the administration, that preach an unpopular policy in domestic or foreign affairs, that are in disrepute in the orthodox school of thought will be suspect and subject to investigation. The press and its readers will pay a heavy price in harassment. But that will be minor in comparison with the menace of [345 U.S. 41, 58] the shadow which government will cast over literature that does not follow the dominant party line. If the lady from Toledo can be required to disclose what she read yesterday and what she will read tomorrow, fear will take the place of freedom in the libraries, book stores, and homes of the land. Through the harassment of hearings, investigations, reports, and subpoenas government will hold a club over speech and over the press."
—U.S. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas,
UNITED STATES v. RUMELY, 345 U.S. 41 (1953)
“Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.”
—Benjamin Franklin
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“Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.”
—Harry Truman
"Once the government can demand of a publisher the names of the purchasers of his publications, the free press as we know it disappears. Then the spectre of a government agent will look over the shoulder of everyone who reads. The purchase of a book or pamphlet today may result in a subpoena tomorrow. Fear of criticism goes with every person into the bookstall. The subtle, imponderable pressures of the orthodox lay hold. Some will fear to read what is unpopular, what the powers-that-be dislike. When the light of publicity may reach any student, any teacher, inquiry will be discouraged. The books and pamphlets that are critical of the administration, that preach an unpopular policy in domestic or foreign affairs, that are in disrepute in the orthodox school of thought will be suspect and subject to investigation. The press and its readers will pay a heavy price in harassment. But that will be minor in comparison with the menace of [345 U.S. 41, 58] the shadow which government will cast over literature that does not follow the dominant party line. If the lady from Toledo can be required to disclose what she read yesterday and what she will read tomorrow, fear will take the place of freedom in the libraries, book stores, and homes of the land. Through the harassment of hearings, investigations, reports, and subpoenas government will hold a club over speech and over the press."
—U.S. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas,
UNITED STATES v. RUMELY, 345 U.S. 41 (1953)
“Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.”
—Benjamin Franklin
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Arts Across Georgia
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Debate Over Issues is as American as Apple Pie
"In questions of power, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution." -- Thomas Jefferson
Soon, Americans will celebrate the 222nd anniversary of the framing of the United States Constitution. Not only is this Constitution the oldest surviving one, it is also the shortest and was written in less than 100 days.
The framers of the Constitution spent many long hours debating and disagreeing with one another as they worked together for the good of the people. They listened and spoke their opinions without fear of reprisal from the government.
Freedom of speech was so important to the framers that they only agreed to sign the Constitution if a bill of basic rights was attached. On September 25, 1789, the Bill of Rights which includes the First Amendment was submitted to the states for ratification.
The First Amendment reads
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.
Do you know the Constitution? Have you read it lately? Why not take time to study the Constitution as America gears up for its 222nd birthday?
This Constitution Moment was brought to you by the James Waldrop Chapter DAR chartered in Fayetteville, GA.
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Soon, Americans will celebrate the 222nd anniversary of the framing of the United States Constitution. Not only is this Constitution the oldest surviving one, it is also the shortest and was written in less than 100 days.
The framers of the Constitution spent many long hours debating and disagreeing with one another as they worked together for the good of the people. They listened and spoke their opinions without fear of reprisal from the government.
Freedom of speech was so important to the framers that they only agreed to sign the Constitution if a bill of basic rights was attached. On September 25, 1789, the Bill of Rights which includes the First Amendment was submitted to the states for ratification.
The First Amendment reads
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.
Do you know the Constitution? Have you read it lately? Why not take time to study the Constitution as America gears up for its 222nd birthday?
This Constitution Moment was brought to you by the James Waldrop Chapter DAR chartered in Fayetteville, GA.
-----
Community News You Can Use
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia
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