"There are countless horrible things happening all over the world and horrible people prospering, but we must never allow them to disturb our equanimity or deflect us from our sacred duty to sabotage and annoy them whenever possible." -Auberon Waugh
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Constitutional Scholar and Genius John Mellencamp Discusses the True Meaning of Freedom of Speech
Hey, not that I want to be mean or anything, Professor Mellencamp, but I don't think the First Amendment means what you think it means (H/T: Hot Air).
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free excercise thereof, OR abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; OR the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Mellencamp: "But somehow it’s turned into ‘I can be an asshole whenever I feel like, say whatever I like, be disrespectful to people and not be courteous.’ It’s not good for our society. Not being courteous is not really freedom of speech. …"
I believe it was a Supreme Court case that said expressing something that is controversial or discourteous is exactly the thing that needs to be protected.
No one needs to protect a troop of Girl Scouts marching in a July 4th parade. But the country needs to protect anti-war protesters protesting outside a Marine recruiting center. Or anti-abortion protesters picketing a Planned Parenthood center. And so on.
I would agree that courtesy and civility should rule all persons' behavior. But people should be free to choose not to be courteous or civil on their own web blog or as a permitted commenter on someone else's.
On the other hand, I cannot abide by anyone protesting at a funeral of a fallen soldier. If I ever attend one and see any of those anti-gay followers of that pastor whose name I can't recall, I'll exercise my First Amendment rights and kick their asses. I mean that.
Fred Phelps, Westboro "Baptist" "Church". Remember that. And if you need help kicking ass, call me and I'll drive down with my "speaking stick". The big one.
Love it! One of the Patriot Guard Riders standing between your proud, righteous ass-kicking selves and the family of the Fallen will be my ol man. I'm relegated to cheerleading these days, so I'll do that. And hold yer hat, Paco.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free excercise thereof, OR abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; OR the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
ReplyDelete!!
USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!
ReplyDeleteRetread
Yeah, Mellencamp, free speech means collectivism, and arbeit macht frei. Jackhole.
ReplyDeleteI think using Mellencamp's CDs as a target is a fine idea. I have a few, and I'm due range time.
ReplyDeletePull!
ReplyDeleteMellencamp: "But somehow it’s turned into ‘I can be an asshole whenever I feel like, say whatever I like, be disrespectful to people and not be courteous.’ It’s not good for our society. Not being courteous is not really freedom of speech. …"
ReplyDeleteI believe it was a Supreme Court case that said expressing something that is controversial or discourteous is exactly the thing that needs to be protected.
No one needs to protect a troop of Girl Scouts marching in a July 4th parade. But the country needs to protect anti-war protesters protesting outside a Marine recruiting center. Or anti-abortion protesters picketing a Planned Parenthood center. And so on.
I would agree that courtesy and civility should rule all persons' behavior. But people should be free to choose not to be courteous or civil on their own web blog or as a permitted commenter on someone else's.
wronwright
On the other hand, I cannot abide by anyone protesting at a funeral of a fallen soldier. If I ever attend one and see any of those anti-gay followers of that pastor whose name I can't recall, I'll exercise my First Amendment rights and kick their asses. I mean that.
ReplyDeletewronwright
Wronwright: Kicking ass is one of our most cherished constitutional rights (especially kicking protester ass at military funerals).
ReplyDeleteWronwright:
ReplyDeleteFred Phelps, Westboro "Baptist" "Church". Remember that. And if you need help kicking ass, call me and I'll drive down with my "speaking stick". The big one.
Hey, don't leave me out! I'll bring my attitude adjuster
ReplyDeleteIn the Army it was refered to as wall to wall counseling.....I'll bounce your head from wall to wall to you get my point!!!
ReplyDelete'scuse me.....here's my attitude adjuster
ReplyDelete"Wall to wall counseling" - Haw!
ReplyDeleteLove it! One of the Patriot Guard Riders standing between your proud, righteous ass-kicking selves and the family of the Fallen will be my ol man. I'm relegated to cheerleading these days, so I'll do that. And hold yer hat, Paco.
ReplyDeleteG-d Bless you all, I'm so glad you're on my side!