Free Speech? Not always!

In 1828, Arthur J. Stansbury expressed concern that so few Americans "had even a tolerable acquaintance with their Constitution". If alive today, Mr Stansbury would scarcely believe that in the ensuing 186 years, this problem has only worsened.

Recently we have heard many protests that freedom of speech has been denied. Donald Sterling, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers NBA team made some comments in a private telephone conversation, which was later made public. Many screamed "What happened to Free Speech?"

Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, in an interview, made remarks which drew a flood of criticism. Bundy supporters demanded to know what has happened to free speech.

In both of these instances, free speech is alive and well. The Constitution rules that "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech". Only government can violate the Constitution by depriving citizens the right of free speech. The NBA, the media and all others are excluded.

In the preface to his Elementary Catechism on The Constitution, Stansbury wrote of the Constitution, "...when its principles are simple, its features plain and obvious, and its brevity surpassing all example, it is certainly a most reprehensible negligence to remain in ignorance of it."

A casual observer can identify two reasons for American's lack of Constitution knowledge. First, the Constitution is hardly taught in American schools. Second, there have been constant efforts to read new meanings into the Constitution. It's enough to confuse the most wary.

One could fill a book with all the various interpretations of the First Amendment., which, in reality, is only 45 words. The First Amendment deals with religion in a mere 16 words. But it has been expanded to prevent the hanging of a picture of Jesus in an elementary school, the display of a cross erected on public land as a memorial to military heroes, and on, and on, and on.

One wonders when a Federal Judge will have backbone enough to apply the Constitution as it was written... not as it has been "expanded".

If you would like to increase your knowledge of the Constitution, Download Stansbury's catechism; or download the entire Constitution and read it for free; purchase a pocket-sized copy from "The Heritage Foundation", or one of several other sources. I have read the entire Constitution while sitting in a doctor's waiting room, waiting for my turn to see the doctor. If you want some background, or an expansion into why the Framers wrote as they did, Hillsdale College offers free online courses on the Constitution.

In the meantime, try to refrain from joining those shouting about citizen's rights which they do not realize we do not have.