Does the 1st Amendment Give Us The Right

[JustAnotherGen]

This is posted in the African American Group

To say these kinds of things about George Zimmerman online, in person to friends and acquaintances on our social network sites, etc. etc. ?

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I wouldn't want him as a neighbor.

I would cross the street if I saw him.

If he moves in next to me - I'm getting a gun.

His eyes are too close together.

George Zimmerman is not safe around black children.

He's such a phony baloney.

George Zimmerman lies.

I don't like the way he looks.

He really is beneath me.

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George Zimmerman went to a gun manufacturer yesterday and now has a happy smiley face on the web of him shaking the guy's hand. He has the right to go there and buy a gun.


But don't we have the right to make fun of him and express disgust at the image?

It's like he is some 'untouchable God' that is getting all of these entitlements and privileges that others do not. It's not like anything I write on the internet is ever going to be read by him. Whose 'sensibilities' do we REALLY offend when we say things like this? Whose 'feelings' get hurt? What difference does my first Amendment right being fully utilized make to him?

I think - none. It makes no difference to George Zimmerman what anyone says or does - and he is going along on his merry way carefree and filled with joy at his incredible luck and lot in life.

[alc]

1. first amendment has nothing to do with 'sensibilities', offending, or 'feelings'

The Constitution (including amendments) limits what the government can do. The government can't put anyone in jail or take property because of something that's said even if it hurts someone's feelings or offends them. So from the standpoint of the first amendment anyone can pretty much say anything about anyone else (it's a right).

Social standards, politeness, and decency are a different issue and have nothing to do with the 1st. Too often people confuse the 1st with being a reasonable person - "the 1st allows it" so it's justifiable to be a dick. We need to think of the Constitution of a limit on government (which is all it is) but realizing that we don't need to stoop to the lowest bar that it allows and that to be decent members of society there are situations/place where it is ok to be a dick and others where you shouldn't do it. In social media it's generally accepted that lots of people are dicks so probably not a big deal. On the other hand if yo want someone to pay attention to you in the future on an issue where they are open minded, it's better not to be a dick to them on an issue that they aren't. The same applies at work, and home, and politics and there are way too many people being dicks in some issues that prevents compromise in others.

[JustAnotherGen]

2. Tell that

first amendment has nothing to do with 'sensibilities', offending, or 'feelings'

To a George Zimmerman supporter.