Aggressive language on python-list

[Chris Angelico]

On Thu, Oct 18, 2012 at 3:33 PM, Dwight Hutto <dwightdhutto at gmail.com> wrote:
> On Thu, Oct 18, 2012 at 12:23 AM, Chris Angelico <rosuav at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Common misconception. The First Amendment to the United States
>> Constitution prohibits the *making of any law* that restricts certain
>> freedoms. It does not have ANYTHING to do with "I have first amendment
>> rights to say whatever I like".
>
> Your constitutional opinion, but not everyone's.
>
> And I quote:
>
> "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."

That's one entire sentence. "Congress shall make no law... abridging
the freedom..." - it's ONLY preventing Congress's actions. The
Constitution was subsequently applied by the Supreme Court to state
governments as well, but it's still only restricting state and federal
law-makers.

ChrisA