THOMAS JEFFERSON AND FREE EXPRESSION, YES. JOHN KERRY AND STOPPING SWIFT BOAT VETERANS ADS, NO.

MichNews.com ^ | 8/29/04 | NDJeep

[NDJeep]

Thomas Jefferson warned, “Whenever a man casts a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct."

John Kerry has hungered for the White House since he was a student and even took a video camera with him to Vietnam.

In 1823, Jefferson wrote: “History may distort truth, and will distort it for a time, by the superior efforts at justification of those who are conscious of needing it most."

John Kerry wrote his own report and insists that his official naval records be taken at face value, while refusing to fulfill his promise to release his medical records.

In 1799, Jefferson acknowledged that citizens may be deceived for awhile, and have been deceived; but as long as the presses can be protected, we may trust to them for light."

John Kerry says that the Swift Boat Veterans ads should not be broadcast.

In 1792, Jefferson wrote to then President George Washington: “No government ought to be without censors, and where the press is free, no one ever will. If virtuous, it need not fear the fair operation of attack and defence. Nature has given to man no other means of sifting out the truth whether in religion, law or politics."

John Kerry fears the attacks of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.

The Swift Boat Veterans for Truth are Americans who have effectively exercised their right to free expression, to the consternation of John Kerry.

John Kerry’s excited efforts to end the Swift Boat Veterans’ television commercials expose him as a phony liberal and would-be autocrat.

John Kerry’s response to the ads alone demonstrates his unfitness to be President.

And President Bush’s interest in stopping the ads of all so-called 527 organizations, while balanced, is disturbing.

Politics is much too important for the supply of information to be left to the professional politicians, official political parties and the major media.

So long as the freedom of expression of The New York Times and The Washington Post is unrestricted, so should the freedom of expression of individual Americans be unrestricted.

And individual Americans should not be hindered when they exercise their constitutional right to freedom of association in order to increase their effectiveness

Freedom of expression existed under British common law.

The common law ended prior restraint, but allowed sanctions for abuse.

In his Commentaries, Blackstone declared that “the liberty of the press is indeed essential to the nature of a free state…”

It was then, is now and ever will be.

Blackstone explained that this liberty “consists in laying no previous restraints upon publications, and not in freedom from censure from criminal matter when published.”

That’s what the general rule should be.

If John Kerry wants to sue the Swift Boat Veterans for defamation, he has a right to do so.

If he proves his case, he’s entitled to damages.

If he files a frivolous case, he should be sanctioned for doing so.

What the powerful disregard is that freedom of the press is the right of every American, not just newspapers, magazines, and television and radio stations.

Blackstone wrote: “EVERY FREEMAN HAS AN UNDOUBTED RIGHT TO LAY WHAT SENTIMENTS HE PLEASES BEFORE THE PUBLIC….” (Emphasis added.)

That means every American is entitled to make his case to the public, and neither the President, nor the Congress, nor the courts should be interfering in the absence of the most compelling circumstances.

Every American, not just those who own newspapers, magazines and/or television and radio stations.

Jefferson never wrote a word in a newspaper, but he did exercise his own freedom of the press by writing pamphlets. His freedom of speech alone did not suffice for him to reach his fellow Americans.

Therefore, Jefferson wrote to Archibald Stuart in 1799: “I would wish you to distribute [some pamphlets]…to such as have been misled, are candid and will be open to the conviction of truth, and are of influence among their neighbors. It is the sick who need medicine, and not the well."

Blackstone explained that forbidding a person from laying “what sentiments he pleases before the public…is to destroy the freedom of the press….”

John Kerry would destroy the freedom of his fellow Swift Boat Veterans.

In 1799, Jefferson wrote: “I am... for freedom of the press, and against all violations of the Constitution to silence by force and not by reason the complaints or criticisms, just or unjust, of our citizens against the conduct of their agents."

John Kerry is an agent of the people who abhors citizens’ criticisms.

In 1804, Jefferson wrote: “No experiment can be more interesting than that we are now trying, and which we trust will end in establishing the fact, that man may be governed by reason and truth. Our first object should therefore be, to leave open to him all the avenues to truth. The most effectual hitherto found, is the freedom of the press. It is, therefore, the first shut up by those who fear the investigation of their actions."

John Kerry fears the investigation of his actions.

Jefferson wrote: “I had laid it down as a law to myself to take no notice of the thousand calumnies issued against me, but to trust my character to my own conduct and the good sense and candor of my fellow citizens."

John Kerry does not trust his fellow citizens.

In 1810, Jefferson wrote: “I feel no falsehood and fear no truth."

John Kerry feels and fears.

In 1816, Jefferson wrote: "The man who fears no truths has nothing to fear from lies.”

John Kerry fears the truth.

In 1823, Jefferson wrote to Lafayette, “The only security of all is in a free press. The force of public opinion cannot be resisted when permitted freely to be expressed. The agitation it produces must be submitted to. It is necessary, to keep the waters pure."

Jefferson would be aghast that John Kerry is striving to keep the Swift Boat Veterans ads from the American people instead of submitting to “agitation.”

John Kerry certainly is no Thomas Jefferson

[Chieftain]

Tired of the lamestream media and the DemocRATS 'smear the messenger and disrespect the veterans' campaign?

Support for the Swiftees is crucial right now, so they can get these ads on the air on REGULAR TV in battleground states. FReepers are key in getting the word out about the righteousness of the SBVFT by exposing Kerry's FRAUD.

That is why another FReeper and myself have devoted all our free time to getting these stickers out to folks so they can get visibilty to the CONSERVATIVE WORKING PUBLIC. When a motorist sees it, he realizes the grassroots nature of SBVFT, as we are doing what Reagan did - TAKING THE MESSAGE DIRECTLY TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND BYPASSING THE LAMESTREAM MEDIA FILTER!

Get your own "EXPOSE KERRY'S FRAUD SWIFT BOAT VETERANS FOR TRUTH" STICKER!

The sticker serves 3 purposes:
1 - Shows visible support for "Swift Boat Veterans For Truth" to passing motorists, (encourages our side discourages the libs).
2 - Gets the swiftvets.com website visible to the public, so they can and find out more about 'Hanoi John' Kerry.
3 - Circumvents the lamestream media BIAS filter!

Made by fellow FReeper disabled vet who has a bone to pick with Kerry, like we all do!
Large (24" Wide 12" Tall) $20 (like mine above)
Small (12" Wide 6" Tall) $10
Profits go to SwiftVets.com

Ping your FRiends, let 'em know about this!

FReep mail / private reply for details on how you can get one for your vehicle!

[JPJones]

In 1804, Jefferson wrote: “No experiment can be more interesting than that we are now trying, and which we trust will end in establishing the fact, that man may be governed by reason and truth. Our first object should therefore be, to leave open to him all the avenues to truth. The most effectual hitherto found, is the freedom of the press. It is, therefore, the first shut up by those who fear the investigation of their actions."

FRee press bump!

[NDJeep]

SwiftVets.com has too many connections right now. I love that decal and will order one for my truck...as soon as their site frees up!!!

[StACase]

John Kerry has hungered for the White House since he was a student and even took a video camera with him to Vietnam.

Video cameras weren't available at that time. Why should I read any more of what you posted?

[NDJeep]

It's not my article. However, if you're going to get hung up on one word it's probably best you don't waste your time here and return to the liberal activists sites.

[TheLion]

"Video cameras weren't available at that time. Why should I read any more of what you posted?

You should direct that question to Kerry!

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Unfortunately, some presses are more free than others.

[HighWheeler]

"Video cameras weren't available at that time. Why should I read any more of what you posted?

You shouldn't. Sign off of FR, and close your browser.
Knowledge is a dangerous thing in the hands of such an amateur.

[NDJeep]

Unfortunately, some presses are more free than others.

That's why every day I am so thankful that Al Gore invented the Internet(!!!) so we can have a true free exchange of factual information.

[Viet-Boat-Rider]

Kerry took a Super 8 Movie Camera, like the one that took the video of the Kennedy Assinaiton.

By the way, why should I listen to any more of your lame brain questions?

[supercat]

Kerry took a Super 8 Movie Camera, like the one that took the video of the Kennedy Assinaiton.

I'm pretty certain the Kennedy assassination wasn't Super-8. It was most likely what would now be called "regular" 8mm. One of the videos about the film showed the frame content in the left margin of the film (between the perforations); Super 8 film has much smaller perforations than regular 8, and I think was quite new at the time of the Viet Nam War. I don't think Super 8 had sound until the 1970's, though, unless Kerry 'wild synced'. FYI, regular 8 runs at 16 or 16.666 frames/sec and 80 frames/foot and thus at 5 seconds per foot or a little faster (50' is either 4"10 or 4" exactly); Super 8 runs at 18 frames/second and 72 frames/foot and thus at 4 seconds per foot (50' is 3"20).

[NDJeep]

The original reply about "video" is a typical liberal attempt to obfuscate and detract from the original discussion which was free speech. Whether is was video, Super 8 or regular 8mm is irrelevant to the topic.

Let us not fall prey to the mindless trappings of our liberal foes.

By the way...Chieftain - can't wait for those decals!!!

[lainde]

Brilliant!

[NDJeep]

I think it is critically important to remind fellow Freep'rs about the availability of your decals