That Pesky First Amendment (Redux)

We covered the incredible video the other day, where in blatant disregard to the First Amendment, people were being arrested in the gallery of the legislature for holding a sign. A quick refresher:

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.

Which brings us to last night in the assembly. Representative Mark Pocan introduced a resolution supporting the free speech rights of the public in the Assembly gallery.

He was backed up by Representative Gary Hebl(who represents me in the assembly), with a great speech telling the Republicans they do not have to vote in lockstep every single time, they can have an independent thought. – Baaaaaaaaa

While the Republicans for the most part were quiet, Representative Sinicki even accused them of snickering and not paying attention(we already know that Robin Vos has no interest in being there). Then freshman representative Dean Knudson decided to speak(unfortunately for him). He prefaces it by saying he is not a lawyer, then speaks and removes any doubt about that.

Rep Knudson, after making wild accusations, says there is a time and place to limit “the time, the place and the manor” of speech. I guess, while reading the Constitution, he got bored at the word Congress, but had he read a little further he would see it clearly stated “Congress shall make NO law….”

I guess the first teacher we need to hold accountable in this state would be Representative Knudson’s reading teacher(but I digress).

Then the unnecessary free speech resolution was voted down on party lines. The republicans voted lockstep no, the democrats all supported the First Amendment and the Constitution and the people of Wisconsin lost. The Tea party will be pissed when they find out!

H/T Nick Nice for the videos!

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4 thoughts on “That Pesky First Amendment (Redux)

  1. manner though the Republicans are acting like they are “to the manor house born” before the Magna Carta.

  2. Wisconsin State Statute 19.90 specifies. “Whenever a governmental body holds a meeting in open session, the body shall make a reasonable effort to accommodate any person desiring to record, film or photograph the meeting. This section does not permit recording, filming or photographing such a meeting in a manner that interferes with the conduct of the meetings or the rights of the participants.”

  3. Republicans don’t want free speech. They want to lower voting rates. They don’t want us to get a decent education or job. They don’t want us to leave a war THEY claimed we won already. What are they hiding?

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