First Amendment Paper

The First Amendment

Freedom is being breached all over the U.S and most of it is being taken away from the press. Sure the Patriot Act is killing everyone’s privacy in secrecy all over the US, but journalists and reporters are being put in jail right and left. The government has infringed on their rights in a way that should not be with the first amendment. It seems like the more people let the government do, the more steps the government takes to take first amendment rights from people. For instance the secret spying on people from government organizations, the quiet protest of a man who was brutally beat and sent to jail, the beginning of punishment comparison to a communist country, and the severe punishment of a man who would did not do anything but cover up his sources. This and many other acts of government is what is tearing down the foundry of this country. Now it is nearly impossible to protect privacy with the government spying on us without our consent.

“Earlier this month, The New York Times reported that since shortly after the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001 the National Security Agency, whose mission is to monitor the communications of foreigners outside our borders, has been focusing its futuristic spy technology on Americans.” The spying that should shock everyone all over the US. Now people cannot even talk on the phone or talk online without some government official spying all over the place. The first amendment is only a tool; if no people use it then the government does not have to follow it. The government wants to protect people by listening to everyone trying to catch terrorists, but it should not be at the cost of freedom. “The electronic eavesdropping was conducted under orders from the president…” The president is a major source to this dilemma. He is taking away the rights of people who are not there to stop him. “The president himself even summoned Times officials to the White House to persuade them not to go ahead with the report.” This has to do with a report by the Times done on a nuclear scientist. The president should not be able to stop this. Freedom of press, even in the case that it hurts the government it still takes rights away from the printers who just want to inform the people. The government has also made it easier to spy on random people. “Without benefit of warrants from the special court set up to make sure such domestic spying is necessary and lawful.” Which basically means people can be searched without even a warrant. Another right taken from the government from the patriot acts, in people having their privacy thrown in the trash. One victim of rights being taken away would have to be Tariq Khan.

“He held literature and wore a sign stating, "Recruiters lie. Don't be deceived.” Was all that Tariq Khan was doing near a college university. “Campus police arrived, Tariq Khan was unable to produce identification, a scuffle ensued, and the student, bruised and bloodied, according to one news account, was taken to jail.” Obviously freedom of speech was taken away from Tariq as the police beat him. The real question is why could Tariq not be able to express his right to speak to other people. Just because the event would not benefit the military he is doing it on behalf of himself and no one has to listen to him. “He will appear in court on Nov. 14 on misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and trespassing.” Jail time the price that is done for expressing himself. What person should take the right to say what they want in public away from them? There were no crude things the man, just simply publicizing his thoughts about the military. “All speech eventually kneels before official authority.” Which is a major thought that should be in the thoughts of people of America and their rights, seeing how the US is looking more like communist countries by the minute.

“Zhao Yan was charged by Chinese authorities with the capital crime of leaking state secrets after his employer… and faces a harsh sentence.” This is a man who was prosecuted for treason just like Judith Miller. “That is why Judith Miller, also a Times employee, has been incarcerated nearly three months in a federal prison, the longest term ever served by a newspaper reporter in the United States.” Seeing how both people are from totally different countries, there seems to be a problem. “The Times reports that 30 other journalists are in jail in China right now on similar charges.” The constitution is very clear on how it says that the government should not infringe on peoples rights and all, but how can two people