First Amendment Freedoms

Jorge Montalvo

Mr. Turner

Government 2305S02

September 16, 2016

First Amendment Freedoms

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.) The main subject of the video that I watched is about the first amendment. People were protesting to the government that they should have freedom of speech and say whatever they want even on live television. Certain types of expression such as child pornography, libel, slander, and even political speeches have not received the Supreme Court blessing. Limitations are imposed in speech which poses an immediate threat to public order which was called Clear and Present Danger Test. (Clear and Present Danger was a doctrine adopted by the Supreme Court of the United States to determine under what circumstances limits can be placed on First Amendment freedoms of speech, press or assembly.) Angry mobs burned down federal buildings to get the government's attention. The Smith Act made it an offense to advocate or belong to a group that advocated the violent overthrow of the government. The first amendment skyrocketed throughout the years since it was established due to radio and media. Adult websites became very popular that kids could easily access it.

This video is valuable to Americans because it shows the history of how the first amendment was created. It shows how the government and the people were fighting each other for the sake of freedom of speech. It showed the progress of the first amendment and how it has progressed throughout the years and how it has become now. People were mobbing and rioting towards the police and government to have freedom of speech. The first amendment allows people to freely express their ideas and beliefs freely without any government official questioning them. They have the right to disagree towards any government official without being afraid of how they might react because the first amendment protects them by having freedom of speech. Just like Opera Winfrey, she spoke her mind about not wanting to eat burgers anymore on live television and a few days later the burger business fail and were blaming her for the decrease in sales but it was her freedom of speech therefore they couldn't do anything legally in her case. The first amendment is very valuable and important to the United States because it protects the people’s rights and beliefs and they won’t feel neglected that they can just speak their mind and not getting into trouble. Of course it also depends when and how you say it. You can’t say “bomb” on an airplane even if you have the right to say it. You’re lying if there’s no bomb and you’re just scaring innocent people. Even though the first amendment has freedom of speech there’s some restrictions on how and what you do.