Lindsey Graham Isn’t Sure If Bloggers Are Protected by First Amendment

American Prowler ^ | 6.5.13 | KAYLIN BUGOS

[nickcarraway]

At a press conference today, he wasn’t sure if bloggers deserved First Amendment protections:

“Who is a journalist is a question we need to ask ourselves,” he said. “Is any blogger out there saying anything—do they deserve First Amendment protection? These are the issues of our times.”

SNIP

A few candidates’ names have been brought up repeatedly, the most notable of which is Rep. Trey Gowdy, from South Carolina’s 4th district. Gowdy is well-known for being a conservative bulldog in the House and has highlighted his political skills recently during his grilling of Lois Lerner. In a fight between Gowdy and Graham, Gowdy might be a good bet.

[no-to-illegals]

Dear lindsay,

All I have left is the wind-walkers and the code talkers. You and your ilk would not understand being you hate Freedom. Being in the same camp as the zer0 crowd, I speak not to you and yours.

[okie01]

There is no such thing as THE PRESS in the sense that term is used by elitist Progressives today — some sort of elite group whose members are allowed preferential treatment under law. In the Constitutional sense, “the press” is a technological device for disseminating information.

One cannot be a “member” of the press. One can only have access to a press.

Any device which enables one to state and publicize one’s views is a “press,” whether it be moveable type, offset, TV, radio, or the Internet. We all have free access to “the press,” meaning we have the right to pay any provider who wishes to sell us access to publicize our ideas.

Brilliant -- and well-expressed -- insight.

In other words, the pamphleteer Thomas Paine was the equivalent of a blogger.

[Paine in the Neck]

I`m not sure if Lindsey is heterosexual .

According to this database, it's a matter of dispute.

[no-to-illegals]

Ah ooh ...

[SeminoleCounty]

Graham is so beatable. Anyone running against him already has the anti-illegal alien groups running ads against him in SC. We still have too many folks making excuses to keep Graham

[ptsal]

Damn.... Is there a week goes bye that does not have Swishy Lindsay Graham or John McNasty taking a full-fledged swipe at the fiber of the American culture?

I really have nothing but disgust for these two characters....

[familyop]

Hmmm. A First Amendment for only those with high incomes and social credentials (political correctness). Fathers divorced by their wives used web sites to criticize courts during the ‘90s and were threatened with jail (contempt).

Then the political/regulator class saturated the world with the word, blog, to violate the First Amendment right of every small-time news and opinion writer. The word sounds nasty, and it is used as a linguistic activism tactic.

[Maceman]

Thank you. By the way, the most famous pamphleteer of the American Revolution was Thomas Paine, who never made a living as a professional journalist.

[NEWwoman]

I guess the Senator isn’t as smart as a fifth grader.

[Rapscallion]

he wasn’t sure if bloggers deserved First Amendment protections:

DESERVE?

Free speech is a right, not an earned reward from the White House, Group of 8, or the government.

What is behind this is a White House goal to get "real journalists" licensed, and thus allow legal restraints on bloggers the politicians do not like. It will be the end of a free press with the freedom to write and publish what they please.

[Rapscallion]

he wasn’t sure if bloggers deserved First Amendment protections:

DESERVE?

Free speech is a right, not an earned reward from the White House, Group of 8, or the government.

What is behind this is a White House goal to get "real journalists" licensed, and thus allow legal restraints on bloggers the politicians do not like. It will be the end of a free press with the freedom to write and publish what they please.

[upchuck]

Linda proves once again... she a complete doofus in clown's clothing.

Uber RINO Lindsey Ping
"Republican by day, Democrat by night."

Want on or off this ping list?
Just FReepmail me.

h/t to martin_fierro for the graphic

[PsyOp]

I don't recall the 1st Amendment using the the word “journalist” either, so maybe it doesn't include them.

“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, or the right of the people to peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

If nothing else, blogs ought to be considered petitions of grievance.

[chainsaw]

This egghead Graham needs a 20 year vacation at his own expense

[PapaBear3625]

Any device which enables one to state and publicize one’s views is a “press,” whether it be moveable type, offset, TV, radio, or the Internet. We all have free access to “the press,” meaning we have the right to pay any provider who wishes to sell us access to publicize our ideas.

Right. The First Amendment has "or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press". Would one argue that speaking freely is only for members of a "speech" organization?

[chainsaw]

If Graham is declaring war on it, can’t he be removed?

YES! By the voters, if they have the will to do it.

[Iron Munro]

Republicans like Lindsey were put here by the Devil to make it easier for leftists.

[Iron Munro]

Would one argue that speaking freely is only for members of a "speech" organization?

Excellent observation.

This kind of thinking falls in line with those who claim the 2nd amendment applies only to an "organized" group (militia).

[Polyxene]

Miz Lindsey Graham-McCain is an idiot.

[savedbygrace]

Bloggers don’t have freedom of speech?

What brand of idiot thinks that way?