Ta-Ta Freedom of Speech
So it appears that Bush doesn’t like the current US Constitution. Alright, maybe that’s going a little overboard, but he sure doesn’t like the first amendment. Through his current policy, and Supreme Court nominees, the freedom that is granted through the first amendment is slowly being taken away from us.
First: Bush signed into law an anti-protest bill. It basically was created to protect soldiers’ families from having to deal with protestors during their loved one’s funerals. Truth be told, I appreciate what Bush is doing here. No family should have to listen to these bible thumping protestors screaming that God is angry over the Iraq war. Have some decency for Christ sakes. While I don’t agree or respect what these protestors are doing, where is the line going to be drawn? Will this new law affect all forms of protest? Let’s pretend we all take part in a major protest. No violence or destruction, just pure protest. Who or what deems this to be lawful or unlawful? If some member of the extreme right becomes offended, does that make it unlawful?
Second: The US Supreme Court voted today limiting protection for whistleblowers. The decision enhances the ability of governments at all levels to punish employees for speaking out, shielding officials in many instances from lawsuits for violating the right to free speech (source: Washington Post). The decision really seems to apply to government jobs. It makes it harder for a government employee to claim that they were retaliated against for bringing forth their presumed “truth”. Honest employees better keep their mouths shut! It kind of sounds like this decision means that an employee could potentially face disciplinary action (from either the employer or the government) regardless of first amendment protection or even public concern. If it helps you sleep better, at least the decision was close. The final vote was 5 – 4.
What has become of this nation? What has become of our rights?
I also appreciate the idea behind the anti-protest bill as you call it. HOWEVER - one of the most important thing in the experiment that is called the United States is the freedom of speech. I’m not saying allow people to yell “Fire!” in a crowded theater - but I am saying that preventing people from speaking their mind is against what our forefather’s layed out. Again - I feel for the families, but - I feel for the lot of us who have been silenced. And if the war isn’t what you wish to speak out about - great - but what happens when there is something that you feel you MUST speak out about and you have been “pre-silenced” by a law George Bush and his cronies have created to allow them to pretend that everything is OK. Personally - I believe the protesters at Military burials should be silenced in the alley-way by a couple of soldiers and their families.
As for the whistle blowers - when is the rest of America going to realize that the laws being created are aimed at the American Public to allow big business to run over anyone they care to on the way to the big dollar signs.
Will we ever learn? Does anyone even care?
I agree that it is imcumbant on all Americans to be ever vigilant in their dedication to the preservation of our civil rights as granted to us by our forefathers.
Not quite sure why people dislike Democrats and complain that their socal programs allow the government to be too large and have too much control… but I guess they can listen to my phone calls, chip away at my civil liberties, and have unlimited power without recourse.
Yea… I guess that makes sense. Vote Republican to avoid centralized government. Seems to be working now.
This is the beauty of our two party system, in a nation with ADD, the simplicity of choice. We need not worry of any deep issues that require thoughtful analysis and balanced debates our system made it simple either vote for Dumb or Dumber.