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To: StupidQuestions
Oh wait, your right. Proposing the assasination of our president, could in no way be confused with yelling fire in a crowded theather.
339 posted on 07/20/2003 6:25:31 PM PDT by TJFLSTRAT
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To: TJFLSTRAT
No one has proposed assassinating the President. That is not in the cartoon. There is no advocacy, no threat and no intention to see the President killed.

It is perfectly acceptable to shout FIRE in a crowded theater if there is really a fire or if you think there is a fire. The question is what the 1st Amendment means and everytime an exception to its clear meaning is made, the concept of free speech is weakened.

The 'Fire' and the fighting words exceptions are Supreme Court 'refinements' of the Amendment's meaning. They were considered necessary for the orderly functioning of society.

But then, many people suggest that some additional 'refinements' of the 2nd Amendment may be necessary for the orderly functioning of society. They may be right but any modification of the Bill of Rights strikes me as dangerous simply because of the slippery slope theory.

I am a realist and I accept the reality of the exceptions to the Amendment already made. But I also think we could function as a society with absolute Free Speech and with an absolute right to weapons. It is just that we have found it easier to limit both the 1st and 2nd Amendments.
416 posted on 07/20/2003 6:52:28 PM PDT by StupidQuestions
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