Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free speech exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Not a single caveat in the entire amendment. The words if, except, excluding, are nowhere to be found. It is to be interpreted exactly as written. As the old saying goes, "no ifs, ands, or buts".
The first amendment gives us the right to say whatever we want, whenever we want, as long as it is within the constraints of the law, and does not create physical injury to another person or persons. Case in point is the old example of yelling fire in a crowded theater. The resulting stampede could cause injury even death.
Saying something that offends another, whether intentional or not, pretty much has to be addressed between the two parties. There are simply no lawful guidelines, regarding what free speech actually entails. Obviously, if you say or print something disparaging another persons character, that person has every right to sue you in a court of law. That said, cannot prevent someone from addressing a group of willing listeners. You are abridging the rights of the speaker, exercising his freedom of speech, and the listeners exercising their rights to lawful assembly. The local law enforcement is obligated under the law, to protect the rights of free speech, period. If we are to maintain a civil society, it is absolutely imperative, that the first amendment be fully understood and respected.
It is also very important to note what the amendment says regarding assembly. This is where the left really runs off the rails. The Founding Fathers, being the amazing men that they were, inserted the word "peaceably", knowing full well, the likelihood of human beings to become unhinged. The first amendment in no way, makes vandalizing property, injuring other human beings and/or animals, such as police horses and dogs, legal in any form. If a protest is organized, it must comply with the laws of the city or town where it is to occur. If it does not, the local officials are well within their rights to force the protestors to disband. Shutting down roads, bridges, public transportation, and buildings are not supported by the First Amendment, period. If you think it is, then you have the brain of a gnat.
FASCISM
For about as long as I can remember, this is one of the left's favorite labels. Let's take a look at what fascism really is. Let's also look at the term "brown shirts" and understand what that means. The left really likes to use these terms in respect conservatives. Meryl Streep, who during the Oscar presentation, seriously "dissed" President Trump, said this while addressing a fundraiser for the Human Rights Campaign; " speaking out, puts a target on your forehead. And it sets you up for all sorts of attacks and armies of "brown shirts" and bots". In my opinion, Meryl Streep has an over inflated idea of her importance.
The best example of fascism took place in Italy and Germany in the 1930's just prior to WWII. It is very important to remember this took place under a dictatorship. Exercising fascism within the framework of a democracy is a very far fetched idea. See above, when I spoke about gnat brains. The Democrats won't even allow the newly elected President to fill his cabinet positions. Do you really think fascism is remotely possible? To even suggest it, makes the person saying it, look incredibly stupid.
Let's take a look at what "brown shirts" were. During the dictatorship of Benito Mussolini, they were called "black shirts". Hitler and the Nazi's used brown shirts. These factions were used as strong arm rabble rousers to disrupt the meetings of opposing parties, and intimidate citizens and jews. I'm sorry, but the knuckleheads in the streets beating people, burning buildings and cars, breaking windows, and disrupting Republican rallies, sound a lot more like "brown shirt" tactics to me. I'm trying to remember anything remotely like this after Barrack Obama was elected. I just don't recall it. If you have an example you would like to share, I would love to see it.
Right on brother.
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