[longrange1947]

I think it free speech applies to the government, not individuals. I think it means what it says.

I think that the free speech amendment was meant to apply to all that would use it in expounding the truth. If your speech is false, then it is not protected, again look at the indivduals, they were not up to "gaming" the wording as do lawyers and politicians of now days.

They were tired of the restrictions placed on them for expressing "legitmate grievnces". That is the crux of the free speech amendment and why you cna not yell fire in a crowded theater. It is a false statement and is designed to do harm. Same if you are talking about libel and slander, which is expressing untruths for the harm of others.

Freedom of press is taken to the extreme and again was meant to stop the censoring of the press when trying to express grievances. Now days the press may express untruths, half truths and all forms fo garbage under the so called protection of hte first Amendment.

Please also not that the amendment prohibits the limiting of the free exercise of religion, but in the name of speration of church and state, which is not in the constitution, laws have been passed that do just that. The amendment was to prevent a formation of a "State Religion" that would prevent the free expression of other religions. And it was to protect the other religions.

Shoot away NDD.