Thursday, September 4, 2008

The First Amendment...

What we lack is not only the first amendment, but also the spirit to guard it, and the goodwill not to abuse it...

what is first amendment? as quote from wikipedia.
"The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the United States Bill of Rights that expressly prohibits the United States Congress from making laws "respecting an establishment of religion" (the Establishment Clause) or that prohibit the free exercise of religion (the Free Exercise Clause), laws that infringe the freedom of speech, infringe the freedom of the press, limit the right to peaceably assemble, or limit the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

Why is first amendment so important?
Because if there is no first amendment,
A nation can force the minority to practise religion habits of the majority public event, making people who wish to out from majority religion difficult, or practising law base on religion which not applicable to others...

if there is no first amendment,
A autocrat can rule a country without being challenge, the democracy system no longer democracy as the ruling party can suppress the voice of the opposition by controlling the media, shutting down websites, blog , etc ,

if there is no first amendment,
Media will not able to observe and report the misbehaviour of government servant when their licent is controlled by them, as a results, inefficient , corrupted servants can remained at their post without being challenge,even their boss cant control them , as happened in China,

if there is no first amendment,
the majority race can suppress the minority through published racist view, they can accused others racial being guilty , or ignored others right as they hold the political power... And the politikus can simply maintain their power by promoting hatred toward other races, so that he will be look like a hero and popular among his races...

if there is no first amendment,
The intellectual will afraid to voice opinion on government project, or critized the government, as they will afraid being arrested by government, or loosing job and business just because others afraid to hire or do business with them, which in turn results in governor never improve their service...

If there is no first amendment, different group of people will keep on fighting, instead of communicating with others, as they never heard others voice in...

Many rulers and politician argue that if first amendment is abused , will cause racial riot and destroy the social harmony. Infact, they just dont understand the spirit of first amendmend. " i strongly disagree with you, but i will defence your right to speak with my life. " The existing of first amendment require as to be rational. That is, dont over reacted, or counter with violence when others say something that you are discomfort with.

Some says, if freedom of speech fully practised, people can make accusation, liar, or speech promoting racial hatred without being punished. For that, they still dont understand freedom of speech. First , the line drawn on what can be said and what cannot is based on ethnic, that is you can quetions others race priviledge but not attacked them personally. Second, all accusation made to person must come with solid proof, where you cant accused at your will . Third, what you said should be truth, or atleast close to it. Or else you must ready to face legal action.

The problem here, however, is how to draw the line. And who have the right to justified and draw it. The answer, is however, based on universal law, that besides truth and proper reasoning, you dont want others to said to your face, you should allow anybody, including yourself , said to other. Which is called respect.

I hereby challenge you to challenge, question , or discussed with me on the topic. But not without truth and proper reasoning!

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