you know what’s a really nice movie?
‘the people vs. larry flynt’
we were watching it on the bus recently, and i was reminded of how much i like this movie. just thought i’d share.
it’s funny, it’s touching, and ,most importantly, it revolves around issues of free speech vs. censorship. i’m constantly surprised and disturbed by how many americans (many of whom are in the current administration) are so eager to trample upon our constitutionally enshrined right to freedom of speech and freedom of expression. this might sound extreme, but my opinion is that some of the amendments to the constitution are the best things about the united states of america.
we have nice beaches and nice mountains and some nice towns and cities, but more importantly we have freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom from unlawful search and seizure, freedom of expression, and so on.
and these things are enshrined in law. which makes it all the more disturbing when elected officials who are sworn to uphold the law do their best to chip away at our basic, constitutional rights.
i’m not indulging in patriotism or jingoism. i’m not saying that the united states is any better or worse than any other country. but i do feel a sense of pride in living in a country that has, as its legal foundation, a document that enshrines peoples basic freedoms and liberites. support the aclu. they protect us. without legal watchdogs to protect us we would be subject to the extremists who would remove our basic constitutional rights.
and, in case you were wondering, even a basic reading of the amendments makes it quite clear that the ‘right to bear arms’ was intended specifically within the context of a ‘well regulated militia’.
i’m not even expressing my opinions on gun-control, i’m just pointing out what can be construed from even a cursory reading of the 2nd amendment. a quick reading of the 2nd amendment makes it clear that the founding fathers were talking about a balance between federal and local power when they drafted the 2nd amendment. this makes perfect sense given the historical context in which the 2nd amendment was drafted.
thanks
moby
