A group called Freedom Forum held a survey not too long ago where it asked a slew of American citizens to name all five of the rights protected under the First Amendment.
A whopping 30% could not name a single one! 65% cited freedom of speech, and only 15% got freedom of the press. A little better were those who remembered freedom of religion, at 16%. And last were the 10% that said... right to assembly. And not a single citizen of the good o1' U.S. of A. said the last one. Freedom of, the right to... uh? It's the right to petition or protest, dummies.
All apologies to our founding fathers.
In the same survey, 25% of those questioned did not want Nazis, skinheads, the klan, or militia groups to demonstrate. Over 50% wanted to keep potty mouths like Howard Stern off the air, citing that the sexual content of their shows have no right to be on the air. 45% of these dimwits wanted the Internet to have restrictions on what was allowed to be posted. Finally, 25% thought the First Amendment guarantees far too many rights to those who do not deserve them. The only thing I have to say to all this is, you should have to know your rights before you try to take them away!
I dont like many of these groups, but I will defend their rights as granted by the US Constitution, and the spirit of these rights where not protected by law. I trust in the wisdom of our founding fathers.
Thank you.
BTW this thread has more views than the SETI Thread now.....................