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May 31, 2009
Keep Yo Effn Mouth Shut
Will we still have a Constitutional Republic in four years? I have my doubts. A new White House policy on permissible lobbying on economic recovery and stimulus projects has taken a decidedly anti-First Amendment turn. It's a classic illustration of Big Government trying to control every aspect of a particular activity and in the process running up against civil liberty.Evidently these guys have never heard of the First Amendment: 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 peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Obama may be a Constitutional scholar, but it is more than evident that actually reading the document is not a requirement for such an appellation. I wonder if this phrase added to many of my posts comes under the restrictions: Why hasn't Polywell Fusion been fully funded by the Obama administration? Because Polywell is getting some stimulus funds but the award is not final. Cross Posted at Power and Control posted by Simon on 05.31.09 at 02:02 AM |
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If it really will be managed so that, as Eisen says, "comments (unless initiated by an agency official) must be in writing and will be posted on the Internet for every American to see", I think the 2nd A concern is minimized. It's almost akin to the "time, place and manner" allowable restrictions - "you can say whatever you want to this government official/office, whenever you want to say it, but this is public business and so you must say it publicly."
Sounds like a close relation to the prohibition on ex parte contact with a judge who's hearing your case - yes, it does restrict free speech to some extent, in that you can't say what you want to say to the judge while the two of you are alone - but you can still say all of those exact things you wanted to say if you say them to the judge and to everyone else involved in the case.