In the story from Chris Klaus in Reality Sandwich, we read about two groups freely assembling to petition the government for redress of grievances. One was demanding a halt to the immigration that fills the economic demand of many employers in this country. They apparently can assemble at will. The other was a labor group demanding security and worker's rights. They were sprayed with tear gas and shot with rubber bullets.
One thing they both share is that they express economic ideas that Cato Institute economist Bryan Caplan deems irrational. Caplan has written a book called "The Myth of the Rational Voter" to argue that democracy is a failure because of such ideas.
Do we want to live in a world that the Cato institute wants? If we want it, do would need to suppress this right? Might the day come when critics of the free-market religion are prevented from speaking? Is this day coming soon? how soon?
Monday, July 9, 2007
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Freedom to Assemble and Petition
I think we'll have to start with the 1st Amendment of the Constitution of the United states of America:
This is a powerful idea to be sure, one that has had its share of encomia this week. For Reverend Billy who was arrested last month for reciting the clause at Union Square during Critical Mass, the words themselves have an emancipating power:
"It is true that really knowing these words changes your life. It can make you brave and it can make you really want to go and organize some people to be brave with you."
As the days go by let's unpack each of these phrases in turn, shall we? Starting with "the right of the people to peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for redress of grievences." As a prompt to contemplation of the complex ways in which this right impacts our lives, I invite to not only think about the RevBilly incident but to also appreciate the complexities of this story in light of our 1st Amendment Rights:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise therof, 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 redress of grievances.
This is a powerful idea to be sure, one that has had its share of encomia this week. For Reverend Billy who was arrested last month for reciting the clause at Union Square during Critical Mass, the words themselves have an emancipating power:
"It is true that really knowing these words changes your life. It can make you brave and it can make you really want to go and organize some people to be brave with you."
As the days go by let's unpack each of these phrases in turn, shall we? Starting with "the right of the people to peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for redress of grievences." As a prompt to contemplation of the complex ways in which this right impacts our lives, I invite to not only think about the RevBilly incident but to also appreciate the complexities of this story in light of our 1st Amendment Rights:
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