Posted on 01/23/2014 9:00:41 PM PST by Olog-hai
The U.S. Supreme Court announced on January 10th that it will consider a First Amendment challenge to an Ohio law that makes it a crime to “lie” about political candidates, which a pro-life PAC says was used to censor its political speech during the 2010 mid-term congressional election. […]
The lawsuit was sparked by an Ohio State Election Commission ruling that there was probable cause that four billboards SBA List planned to put up in former Congressman Steven Driehaus’ district during his reelection campaign were “malicious lies” under Ohio’s False Statement Law. Fourteen other states have similar laws on the books.
The billboards accused Driehaus, who campaigned as a pro-life Democrat, of voting for tax-funded abortions when he voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). …
(Excerpt) Read more at cnsnews.com ...
I have always argued there is a First Amendment Freedom of Speech right to lie.
Not that I follow it, because I follow the 10 Commandments.
Wow. If we had some Conservative judges, the Dems would really be in trouble on this one. Sadly, they have pretty much packed the courts and their judges don’t rule against them, just us.
It needs to be a crime for “lawmakers” to tell LIES about the taxpayers in the TEA Party!
That redounds to the whole point the Founders made about private morality and religion. If “lies” are suppressed, so is truth by default.
How about lies out of the mouths of 98% of the politicians?
>> The billboards accused Driehaus, who campaigned as a pro-life Democrat, of voting for tax-funded abortions when he voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)
What lie?
I am pretty certain there is recourse to such "Speech" via libel. Sounds to me like Ohio politicians don't want to spend the money defending their lies legally and claiming libel (probably because they can't defend themselves).
Yeah . . . funny how that’s not addressed. Only the character of politicians is unassailable by perceived “lies”.
More than likely we don’t have prison cells enough for the corrupt vermin in DC.
They keep pushing too hard, someone will find little “cells” in the ground for them. They already look weak to the rest of the world, so it’s not out of the consideration of any other country with animosity towards the USA to start trying.
>> politicians don’t want to spend the money defending their lies legally and claiming libel (probably because they can’t defend themselves).
DING! DING! WINNER!!!
When did politicians become royalty?
Exactly.
Quite a change has come over the People’s Republic of Ohio.
Politicians are liars - make that illegal!
All liars are equal, but some liars are more equal than others . . .
ALL Political speech is Constitutionally protected free speech. Even lies...
Well, it used to be, until the Radical Socialist Obamunists took over.
Yes, well, I always thought Washington DC was a bit of an animal farm anyway.
Hard to defame a public figure.
A truth straight from the lips of God.
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