Amendment #1: “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.”
AND YET we allow other governments agencies, like states’ governors and even the President to do so…
Donald Trump has for the last four years made a habit of attacking religious liberty in America under Donald Trump. He has repeatedly called for bans on immigration and travel by people of the Islamic faith. He issued executive orders allowing the Dakota Access oil pipeline to desecrate sacred land sovereignly held by the Sioux. He has repeatedly called for and stacked the US Supreme Court with judges disposed to imposing Protestant Christian (a faction of Protestants at that) restrictions on women’s rights and abortion. All the while yet he argues that he is forming a coalition of US businesses for the protection of religious freedom. Well not all religions, just the ones with big Trump campaign donations. He is working to establish a national evangelical Christian religion in America.
America was founded by religious outcasts from the established churches of Europe. We cannot stand for this. The Congress of 1793 in the framing of the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution intended America to be agnostic about faith. The government was expected to never promote one religion as predominant, regardless of demographics and popular opinion. Most importantly, our country s committed to the principle that each person who wishes to practice their religion be free to do so. This goes for people who practice any religion, and even no religion.
Donald Trump has for the last four years made a HUGE habit of systematically prohibiting freedom of speech. One of his first official acts was to chastise the Parks Service for reporting (objectively) the number of attendees at his inauguration. He routinely uses official channels to retaliate against speech he finds objectionable, including subpoena testimony to Congress and the courts. He has revoked press passes of White House reporters from media outlets that criticize him. He perverts the uses executive order to alter Postal regulations, environmental regulations, trade and immigration rules, and such to punish anyone who opposes his agenda.
Of course, Donald Trump is now internationally infamous for his attack on the Press. From his mantra of “Fake News” to overt censorship by excluding all mainstream media (other than FOX News) from presidential briefings, Donald Trump is the greatest threat to Freedom of the Press our country has ever known. Since long before the creation of our republic, the United States has relied on journalists and news reporters to play the role of informing the people and holding political leaders accountable. Sometimes this reporting is biased or politically motivated but when viewed in aggregate, when all voices are allowed to be heard, the truth prevails. This, of course, is exactly what Donald Trump does not want.
Now we are faced with the final usurpation of our 1st Amendment freedoms: “..the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Yes, there is a health crisis and REASONABLE safeguards SHOULD be observed. That is the responsibility of the PEOPLE not the government. Today, Ohio suspended elections. Many of our States’ Governors are ordering Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and other religious meetinghouses closed. In Pennsylvania, that closure extends to all gatherings of more than 10 people and most businesses.
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
— Edmund Burke
Folks, its time to take back our country. I’m not recommending marching in the streets, there is a terrible virus out there, but we need to act. We need to protect those things that are vital to our republic and restore America to its former greatness (before Trump).
— YES, this is a POLITICAL RANT. Its Freedom of Speech and the Press. If my Republican Senator wants to complain, he should come to my home and let me hug him… (We’ll save exercise of the Second Amendment for later.)
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 