Wednesday, June 15, 2016

An Independent Press


It is in the 1st Amendment to the Constitution. It is pretty clear.

Amendment I

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.
I guess the amendment refers to Congress and not the President. Oh, right, the President cannot pass laws! Don't forget that, but the President is sworn in as follows

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

One candidate certainly does not seem to have a grasp of the Constitution or the amendments added thereto. This candidate believes that is it OK to restrict the press because they disagree with his particular views. The press helps to ensure transparency in government.

I am have seen the abuses of the press as the harangue people to the point of insanity, but I am convinced that a free and independent press is essential to protecting our freedoms. And not just for the Federal government--but even more importantly at the State and Local levels as well. Too many representatives, it seems, once elected place their personal biases and views above those of the electorate. Without a press to allow these views to be discovered and discussed in open forum, who knows along what path our government would proceed.

We must watch carefully during the next few months. Decisions affecting our nation and the world as well as our personal freedoms and our lives will be made in the polling booths.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

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