Friday, October 31, 2008

Palin Doesn't Understand the First Amendment

ABC News reports Palin Fears Media Threaten Her First Amendment Rights.

"In a conservative radio interview that aired in Washington, D.C. Friday morning, Republican vice presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin said she fears her First Amendment rights may be threatened by 'attacks' from reporters who suggest she is engaging in a negative campaign against Barack Obama.

'If [the media] convince enough voters that that is negative campaigning, for me to call Barack Obama out on his associations,' Palin told host Chris Plante, 'then I don't know what the future of our country would be in terms of First Amendment rights and our ability to ask questions without fear of attacks by the mainstream media.'"

The first amendment is only 45 words long, "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."

Her comments are moron as It protects the people and press from the government, not the other way around.

1. She is not protected from criticism from the press
2. The press is protected to say anything they want, particularly about government officials
3. NAACP v. Alabama interpreted the constitution to include a freedom to associate based on the first amendment rights of speech, assembly and petition (I had to bring it up in discussion of McCain's nomination acceptance speech). I wonder if Palin as an elected governor could be violating Obama's right of association?

This woman is not even qualified for her current government position, let alone that of Vice President.

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