First Amendment

Team America?

by Scott McPherson March 31, 2022

Leftist politicians and their water-carriers in the media are incensed that most Americans are weary of foreign wars. While President Biden ramps up the dangerous rhetoric against Russia and sends more “lethal aid” to Ukraine, the people are less enthusiastic. Two-thirds say they don't want U.S. forces involved in the conflict. It might be too early ...

COVID-19 and the Right of Assembly

by Tim Fries August 11, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic, or rather the government’s response to it, has raised many concerns over the past few months. In just the last few months, we have seen how some of the lockdown measures represent a major attack on our individual liberty how the closure of churches has undermined

The Police State’s Language of Force

by John W. Whitehead September 19, 2019

Since when have we Americans been expected to bow submissively to authority and speak with awe and reverence to those who represent us? The constitutional theory is that we the people are the sovereigns, the state and federal officials only our agents. We who have the final word can speak softly or angrily. We can seek to challenge and ...

Protect the Right to Criticize the Government

by John W. Whitehead July 18, 2019

“Since when have we Americans been expected to bow submissively to authority and speak with awe and reverence to those who represent us? The constitutional theory is that we the people are the sovereigns, the state and federal officials only our agents. We who have the final word can speak softly or angrily. We can ...

The First Amendment Was Never Designed for the Workplace

by Laurence M. Vance September 27, 2017

Although he is no longer employed by Google, software engineer James Damore’s name will always be associated with that of his former employer. Google fired him on August 7 for writing a 10-page, 3,300-word memo (Google’s Ideological Echo Chamber) critical of the company’s diversity policy. Damore dared to argue that biological differences play a role in the ...

Freedom for the Speech We Hate

by John W. Whitehead August 24, 2017

“If there is any principle of the Constitution that more imperatively calls for attachment than any other, it is the principle of free thought — not free thought for those who agree with us but freedom for the thought that we hate.”— Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes There was a time in this country, back when ...

The Police State’s Answer to Free Speech Is Brute Force

by John W. Whitehead July 12, 2017

Since when have we Americans been expected to bow submissively to authority and speak with awe and reverence to those who represent us? The constitutional theory is that we the people are the sovereigns, the state and federal officials only our agents. We who have the final word can speak softly or angrily. We can seek to challenge and ...

Lynching Free Speech

by John W. Whitehead June 16, 2017

What are the defenders of free speech to do? The sad fact is that this fundamental freedom is on its heels across America. Politicians of both parties want to use the power of government to silence their foes. Some in the university community seek to drive it from their campuses. And an entire generation of Americans is being taught ...

Shame on the U.S. Supreme Court for Making a Mockery of the First Amendment

by John W. Whitehead May 18, 2016

“The vitality of civil and political institutions in our society depends on free discussion… It is only through free debate and free exchange of ideas that government remains responsive to the will of the people and peaceful change is effected. The right to speak freely and to promote diversity of ideas and programs is therefore one of the chief ...

Dangerous Speech: Would the Founders Be Considered Domestic Extremists Today?

by John W. Whitehead February 11, 2016

“If you can’t say ‘F***’ you can’t say, ‘F*** the government.’” ― Lenny Bruce Not only has free speech become a four-letter word—profane, obscene, uncouth, not to be uttered in so-called public places—but in more and more cases, the government deems free speech to be downright dangerous and in some instances illegal. The U.S. government has become particularly intolerant ...

The Right to Tell the Government to Go to Hell

by John W. Whitehead January 22, 2016

  “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”― George Orwell Free speech is not for the faint of heart. Nor is it for those who are easily offended, readily intimidated or who need everything wrapped in a neat and tidy bow. Free speech is often messy, foul-mouthed, obscene, intolerant, ...

The Emergence of Orwellian Newspeak and the Death of Free Speech

by John W. Whitehead July 1, 2015

“If you don’t want a man unhappy politically, don’t give him two sides to a question to worry him; give him one. Better yet, give him none. Let him forget there is such a thing as war. If the government is inefficient, top-heavy, and tax-mad, better it be all those than that people worry over it…. Give the people ...