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Blog 540 – 01.30.2017
The First Amendment

Much has been said and written about the Second Amendment especially in regard to gun ownership but I would like to look at the First Amendment. A journalist friend of mine wrote an excellent piece on her blog recently called Politics Divides Families that deals with the First Amendment and though there be some differences about the interpretation of the Second Amendment I believe the meaning of the First Amendment is quite clear. I encourage you to look closely at the words.

As smart as the founding fathers were their great Constitution would have never been ratified without the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments. The people wanted some guarantees from their new government that it was not going to be just “business as usual” with the “big guys” lording it over the little guys. To prevent that they wanted some things spelled out clearly and written plainly limiting that government.

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says:

“Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of greviances.”

NO STATE RELIGION – The United States of American is not now nor has it ever being a Christian nation and I hope it never is, nor a Muslim nation, or a Hindu nation or any other religion. All are free to exercise their religion or lack of one here and Amen to that.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH – No gag order. Yesterday I wrote that expecting half of the country to just “shut up” and let those in power do whatever they wish is Un-American. And every voice has a right to be heard in this country even and especially those that irritate us.

FREEDOM  OF THE PRESS – People act like Fox News versus MSNBC is some kind of new phenomenon. Not so, when I was a boy in Chattanooga, Tennessee it was the Chattanooga Times versus the Chattanooga Free Press. The real phenomenon in our modern communications is Social Media where bullies try to shame and shut up their opposition with unsubstantiated claims. That used to be called propaganda. Saying something loudly over and over does not make it true. The writers of the First Amendment knew a free press was important to keep an informed public and to keep government in check.

THE RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE PEACEABLY  – To paint peaceful protesters as Un-American is to lose sight of what being an American really means. Those not born in this country who become naturalized citizens must swear or affirm to renounce allegiance to foreign princes, states, or sovereignities to which they have been subjects or citizens and to support and defended the Constitution and laws of the United States of America. Citizens are not required by law to stand at the playing of the National Anthem or to pledge allegiance to the flag but they are required to pledge allegiance to the Constitution. Military people, and all government people, local, state, and federal are also required to pledge to support and defend the Constitution which guarantees these rights.

THE RIGHT TO PETITION THE GOVERNMENT FOR REDRESS OF GREVIANCES – I have worked on both union and non-union jobs and learned as a young freight handler working through the Teamsters union the importance of properly filing greviances. People in power often view greviances as nuisances and obstructions to “Getting things done” but some things should not be done and people have a right to petition the Government to address their complaints or greviances.

All citizens of the United States of America belong to a union far bigger than the Teamsters, or the Democratic or the Republican parties. If we fail to stand up for the right of the smallest minority or individual to protest the infringement of their rights who will stand with us when our rights are threatened? United we stand divided we fall. We don’t talk like that much anymore. Divorce, succession, wall building, and “My way or the highway” seem to be in vogue.

Your friend and fellow traveler,
David White