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Absolutely yes there is: "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press". Allowing that "speech" is no less than "communicati
by ctdonath 12y ago
Absolutely yes there is: "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press".
Allowing that "speech" is no less than "communication from one citizen to another", and "press" is a generic term for devices facilitating that communication, there is no reason to believe those who wrote & agreed to the particular enumerative wording of that right meant to exempt "instant mass communications". To the contrary, the specific inclusion of "the press" DID refer to the then-fastest means of communicating with the greatest number of people technologically possible at the time.
BTW: the American declaration of that right as fundamental was written by people who had in fact caused riots, impromptu mobs, and perpetrated violence precisely so they could implement a government which would, among other things, enshrine that right.
- anigbrowl 12y agoArguably, the nascent country's experience with shay's Rebellion under the Articles of Confederation provided momentum for the establishment of a strong federal government; while Thomas Jefferson was sanguine about the rebellion, responding with his famous quote about the Tree of Liberty, George Washington (who was in the more difficult position of actually having to govern) was rather less enthusiastic. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shays'_Rebellion#Impact_on_Constitution http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shays'_Rebellion#Impact_on_Cons...
- seanflyon 12y agoI'm not sure if it's worth bringing this up anymore, but the California state legislature is not Congress.
- ctdonath 12y agoThe California state legislature is bound to respecting the Bill Of Rights. This is well-established under the 14th Amendment.