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"What we need desperately is common sense journalism reform that requires so-called journalists to go through training and obtain a license. Too many lives are being destroyed by irresponsible misuse of unverifiable sources and unchecked reporting of rumors."

What we need is "common sense," authentic and accurate textbooks, teaching and learning in K-12, undergraduate and graduate schools (including journalism schools) about the real history surrounding America's founding and framing of a Constitution for a free people!

Journalists cannot fully appreciate what a privilege they enjoy in America because of the Founders' insistence on a "free press," even if its made up of individuals whose opinions may not agree with then-current Administrations, Congressional and Senate officials!

Many journalists appear to be Constitutionally illiterate as they exercise their protection under the umbrella of the Bill of Rights--the same Bill of Rights which protects those who disagree with them.

One of the amendments to the Constitution [* * *] expressly declares, that "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"; thereby guarding in the same sentence, and under the same words, the freedom of religion, of speech and of the press; insomuch, that whatever violates either, throws down the sanctuary which covers the others. - Thomas Jefferson, TITLE: Kentucky Resolutions. EDITION: Washington ed. ix, 466. EDITION: Ford ed., vii, 295. PLACE: [none given] DATE: 1798

of rumors." What we need is "common sense," authentic and accurate textbooks, teaching and learning in K-12, undergraduate and graduate schools (including journalism schools) about the real history surrounding America's founding and framing of a Constitution for a free people!

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Great points.