That, my friends, is the 1st amendment to the Constitution. It basically prohibits the making of any law "respecting an establishment of religion", impeding the free exercise of religion, infringing on the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances.
It is no coincidence that free speech is the very first amendment of the Constitution. People were concerned about the power of the government.
A 1646 Massachusetts law, punished persons who denied the immortality of the soul.
In 1612, a Virginia governor declared the death penalty for a person that denied the Trinity under Virginia's Laws Divine, Moral and Martial, which also outlawed blasphemy, speaking badly of ministers and royalty, and "disgraceful words."
After the American Revolutionary War, The drafting and eventual adoption of the Bill of Rights, including the First Amendment, was, in large part, a result of these concerns, as the Bill of Rights limited the power of the federal government--(copied from Wikipedia)
More and more, our 1st amendment right is being taken away from us. Books, music, television, movies, and art have all become subject to what someone in a position of POWER deems morally or ethically right.
Over the weekend, those in a position of power at Blogspot decided they do not have to abide by our 1st amendment right. They censored a fellow Blogger...a Royal, at that. Hrummp!
Momma Fargo's blog tells the story of her life as a female cop. She wrote a story about what happened on a particular call. There was nothing demeaning, derogatory, or pornographic about that post. However, Blogger didn't like it, and not only took down her post, but they shut down her blog and offered up her URL to anyone that wanted it. After she complied with their demands, they gave her URL back to her.
What the fucking hell is going on? If you have or read blogs, you know that they are a venue where we can talk about our lives, our thoughts, our opinions, concerns. They are a place to gather news, information, and even a place where idiots can spew hatred, or make up vile lies. They give us a chance to step into the authors life and mind. They give us a place to have a small voice in this big universe.
I agree that sometimes those minds, lives and voices are downright disturbing. However, this is still America and that gives us the right to free speech.
I know many consider censorship in the United States as a necessary impingement on our right to free speech. They claim it is for the safety to the public. (Oh woe! Think of the children! That rap music is destroying our teenagers!) Some consider censorship to play a major role in maintaining social standards.
I know many of us consider that to be a bunch of bullshit. I believe censorship is an imposing, unreasonable restriction on the freedom of expression. PERIOD.
We have every right to say our piece on whatever subject we want to. Unless we factually lie and cause outside groups to be financially harmed (libel and slander), we can and should be able to state our opinions, no matter how far fetched, foul-mouthed or ridiculous it sounds.
What I don’t understand is why these people are taking the responsibility of protecting ourselves, more importantly our children, out of our homes and into the hands of others?
I want to bitch slap these people around and yell loudly and clearly, “Why don’t you do some fucking parenting, take some goddamn responsibility and stop blaming others!”
If you don't want the responsibilities of being a parent, grown-up, or asshole in the United States, there are plenty of places in this world where the powers that be will happily tell you what you can and cannot, say, eat, watch, read and live.
No one is forcing you to read this blog, or listen to rap music, or to watch an x-rated skin flick. Quit your motherfucking whining, pull your grown-up panties on, and make decisions that are right for you and your family.
I'm all for you having and expressing your opinions, values and crackpot ideas.
Just don't come to my house, or blog, and try to force your views, morals and values on me.
You go girl.
ReplyDeleteYea team Royal
ReplyDelete