“If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein." See West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943).In the midst of World War II, our Supreme Court reversed an erroneous decision that let Jehovah's Witnesses children be punished for refusing to salute the flag Let freedom ring.
Freedom is speech is being violated as DJT celebrates cancellation of two (2) out of three (3) late night television hosts. From The New York Times:
Trump Says Broadcasters Risk Losing Licenses When Hosts Criticize Him
Where Things Stand
Networks threatened: President Trump said federal regulators should consider revoking broadcast licenses over late-night hosts who speak negatively about him, a day after ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel’s show “indefinitely” after pressure from the Federal Communications Commission chairman. Mr. Trump and administration officials have long championed free speech, but their actions — as well as their promises since Charlie Kirk’s killing — to guarantee it have been replaced by efforts to quash criticism. Congressional Democrats plan to introduce long-shot legislation to bolster legal protections for people targeted by the president for speaking freely.
On “Late Night,” Seth Meyers contrasted the Trump administration’s words about defending free expression with its recent actions, saying that “Trump promised to end government censorship and bring back free speech, and he’s doing the opposite.” He paid tribute to Jimmy Kimmel, saying it was “a privilege and an honor to call Jimmy Kimmel my friend, in the same way that it’s a privilege and honor to do this show every night.”
He also needled Trump, saying in jest that he was “a visionary, an innovator, a great president and even better golfer, and if you’ve ever seen me say anything negative about him, that’s just A.I.”
On NBC, Jimmy Fallon opened “The Tonight Show” by quickly addressing Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension. “To be honest with you all, I don’t know what’s going on,” he said. “And no one does. But I do know Jimmy Kimmel, and he’s a decent, funny and loving guy, and I hope he comes back.”
Fallon insisted that he would not be censored and would cover President Trump’s trip to Britain as he normally would. But in a brief gag, a voiceover provided more complimentary language over Fallon’s commentary. Trump looked “incredibly handsome,” the voiceover said, and would be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
1 comment:
It's too bad that officials have been made super citizens and immune in many cases to lawsuits against them for harmful behavior. I'm guessing this is how it is in China too. You can't do much and justice is not administered when government harms the people. That's why passage of The Bivens Act of 2024 and similar legislation is important. Gee I wonder who will be the ones who oppose it. So much for "don't tread on me."
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