Are opinion journalists allowed to have an opinion when reporting the news? This is a sticking point in American discourse this week. Let’s explore this question. If born before 1975, you may remember news as just the news. In other words, just the facts without editorial comment. The consumer was expected to draw their conclusion […]
Know What You Believe
Remember what we learned about conversing with someone who has an opposing viewpoint? Know what you believe. Know what they believe. Know what they believe about what you believe. (Note: Today’s post is from a Facebook article I wrote. Here is another similar article from this website with additional information: https://civicsandcitizenship.org/the-right-to-protest/ There are some illustrative […]
Thoughts and Prayers
A childhood friend posted this meme on their newsfeed: “Thoughts and prayers are useless to dead children.” Excuse me? You are telling us what and who we can think about and pray about and how we should respond to tragedy? How do you know my prayers are ineffective? (I believe God knows the intents and […]
Which Law Applies?
So, which law is it? Is the First Amendment right to peaceful protest, or is United States law 18 U.S.C. § 1507 the law we employ for guidance on peaceful protests? I hear both quoted and both used in the recent and ongoing protests. A bit of background: I was in Washington, D.C., last weekend. […]
The Right to Protest
This week, my high school students will study and memorize the First Amendment. I have a real-life example of the First Amendment in action to share with the classes, thanks to a note from a non-fan of this educational page. You might find this interchange instructive, as I did. Here goes: The man was on […]
Harry and the First Amendment
Assimilation is an integral part of living in America. Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, England, is a new resident of the United States. As good neighbors and common sense citizens, let’s help a guy out, shall we? He thinks our First Amendment is “bonkers.” Just to help us to better understand the Prince, Oxford […]
