A Lesson In Freedom Vol 1

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."

Has anyone out there ever heard or read this sentence anywhere? Does it seem familiar? It is the 1st amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.

Most people are familiar with it due to the "freedom of speech" clause where they want to use is as an exuse for lewd and obnoxious behavior and offensive speech. Note that the word "expression" never appears, however lewd and obnoxious behavior and offensive speech are acceptable ramifications for the preservation of freedom.

The good citizens of New York City have had their right to free speech revoked with the passing of a new law. NYC City Council has passed a law banning the "N" word. There is no penalty for speaking the banned word; the city is just trying to get the word out of the every day vernacular of the city's kids.

HOWEVER... It doesn't matter that there are no penalties for breaking this law, this law is unconstitutional. It is a travesty when the people will sacrifice freedom for comfort. The key to the freedoms protected in the 1st amendment is to preserve that freedom for the ones whose speech offends you the most, regardless of your feelings of a word, phrase or idea. Yes, our "rights" are listed, protected and preserved. One has but to Google it and there are a plethora of links to see just what a bunch of old guys wrote down two centuries ago. They did not, however, list the responsibilities that are included with those rights.

Responsibilities like...

Using speech wisely so as not to give the government cause to challenge your rights.

Understanding that someone may voraciously use their rights to support and promote something that you oppose with equal voracity and still fighting to protect their right to do so.

Now take a look at the beginning of this crucial amendment. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." This applies to establishing a set state religion. For example, the official religion of the UK is the Anglican Church. The official religion of the Vatican is Catholicism. The official religion of the United States is ???????

We don't have one. We won't have one. The Christians need to get over that idea. Yes, I'll concede that the founding fathers were all Christians, but those men were smart enough to know that the entire world would be on their way to these shores to be able to practice as they saw fit. Voodoo, Islam, Buddhism, Hindu, Christianity, Judaism, freakish cults, all are protected by this amendment, but you cannot expect the government to endorse any one specifically over the other.

That's enough school for today, kids. Go outside and play nicely.