What was the original intention of the 1st Amendment? (Debate???)

[Lanshark]

What was the original intention of the First Amendment and have we stayed true to the original intention?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by Lanshark
What was the original intention of the First Amendment and have we stayed true to the original intention?

To create future debate material for generations of Americans. And, obviously, yes.

 

[meandtheguys]

You know the current education system...maybe you ought to print it out!

 

[katerkat]

So I can take two classes on it in college and argue about it on the CB.

I think it's to protect people from the government.

 

[poohandwendy]

The original intent was to ensure the citizens be protected from govt oppression and tyranny.

have we stayed true to the original intention

Probably yes and no.

Our forefathers had no means to predict the future of the nation, only the past they had experienced. And none of us lived back then. So, I am not sure a fair comparison can be made between the original intent and todays application of the same words without Miss Cleo's help. We struggle to day with totally different issues than they did.

However, I do think they did a swell job covering the bases for future generations, given their means at the time.

I mean, could we make a set of rules that are concise and thorough enough to withstand 200 years of generational changes that wouldn't be abused, misused and interpreted? Would our current dialect have the exact same meaning hundreds of years from today?

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

To allow people to voice their opinions without fear of governmental retribution.

and yes, I believe we've stayed true to it -- for the most part. I think the courts have been very careful in their impostion of time and place limitations on free speech.

I also think we abuse our freedom by insisting on our "rights' without the concurrent responsibilities and a concept of common decency and good manners.

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

I agree with everything Briar Rose said.