Losing faith in Supreme Court

I think it’s important at this time to quote what is, perhaps, my favorite scene in a movie. This comes from The American President (1995): “America isn’t easy. America is advanced citizenship. You’ve gotta want it bad, ‘cause it’s gonna put up a fight. It’s gonna say, ‘You want free speech? Let’s see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who’s standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours.’”

Before his murder, I’d never heard of Charlie Kirk. From what I’ve heard, I doubt I would agree with many of his points. Nonetheless, he had every right in the world to espouse those views. Similarly, Jimmy Kimmel had every right in the world to say what he said. Neither called for violence, so the Constitution supports their right.

Read Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.’s decision in Schenk v U.S., the famous and often misquoted “you can’t yell fire in a crowded theater” decision, later refined by Brandenburg v Ohio full court opinion that free speech is only confined by the threat of “imminent lawlessness.”

The Trump administration has been attacking the First Amendment since he came into office. It started with banning The Associated Press for the ridiculous reason of refusing to call the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, banning certain reporters from press events, defunding PBS, suing print media he doesn’t like and now he’s going after comedians.

I wish I could say that I trust the Supreme Court to stand up for the Constitution in this matter. I survived Trump’s first term believing that the Supreme Court and Constitution would protect us. I no longer have that firm belief.

Mary Hunter

Carpentersville