2.15.2005

Mike Moran: another journo who doesn't understand the First Amendment

Powerline points us to this column on Chris Matthews' blog by Mike Moran. Moran calls bloggers "enemies of free expression, critical thinking and The First Amendment" for chasing down Eason Jordan.

My reply to Moran:

Mr. Moran,

You are way off base in calling bloggers "enemies of free expression, critical thinking and The First Amendment." Most bloggers in fact encouraged Eason Jordan to come forward more, and either reveal the evidence behind his reported claims, or fully explain what he said and meant.

Holding someone accountable for making serious unsubstantiated accusations is not an attack on the First Amendment. Do you even know what the First Amendment says? "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." Where in this text do you find the right to be free from any consequences when someone makes apparently untrue statements that bring discredit on his employer?

It is shocking that someone of your education cannot understand the difference between government suppression of free speech and someone facing the business consequences for publicly slandering others.

Regards,

W.C. Varones

By the way, when I say "someone of your education," I don't know anything about Moran's education, but I'm assuming he completed high school before Hardball gave him a column.

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Nailed it!

July 5 :