Sarah Palin and Freedom Of Speech

Source: "Sarah Palin gets in dustup with teacher" August 9, 2010
             http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/40821.html


Constitutional Connection

The First Amendment   "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."


Analysis of the Connection

              One of many of our founding fathers Voltaire believed in and pressed the right of freedom of speech. Now we have it as a right in the United States today.Voltaire's most famous quotes is "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". The First Amendment was created with the help of the New York, Virginia, Rhode Island, and North Carolina who all requested that amendments concerning freedom of religion, freedom of press, freedom of assembly and freedom of speech. These states requested this to restrain federal government of using powers that weren't givin to them. 



    In this article, Sarah Palin former governer  of Alaska, is arriving in Homer, Alaska where her new show on TLC is going to take place. A teacher named Kathleen Gustafson greets her with a sign saying "Worst Governer Ever". In America people have freedom of speech where they can say whatever they want to say, but there are penalties and consequences if you say it to the wrong person. After seeing this totally disrespectful sign, Sarah Palin decides that she will have a stroll on over to Ms. Gustafson and have a little chat with her.

                 Ms. Gustafson starts off by making the statement that "You swore on your precious Bible that you would uphold the interests of this state, and then when the cash is waved in front of your face you quit". "Whats up". Sarah Palin is no longer governer of Alaska and quit that job because she got offered a job to hav a show/ documentary about Alaska and her trying to help people in America. Sarah Palin replied that she is no longer governer and is free to be out there fighting for Americans to be able to have a Constitution protected so that we can have free speech. Sarah Palin stated that she has been working to “elect candidates who understand the Constitution [and will] protect our military interests so that we can keep on fighting for our Constitution that will protect some of the freedoms that evidently are important to Americans and citizens of Alaska. Butting in to the conversation, Sarah Palin's daughter Bristol made the statement that her mother is not representing just Alaska any more but also the United States. Ms. Gustafson said that yes she understands that Mrs. Palin belongs to America now.
             
              By the end of this long confrontation Palin finally decides to ask what Gustafson does in Alaska. Gustafson says that she is a teacher and that her husban is a commercial fisherman jus like her husband, Palin tries to bond with Gustafson. Palin came to the conclusion that they both believe in the freedom of speech and the protection of it.

             I believe that if it wasnt for Palin trying to find a connection by the end of this confrontation it only would have gotten uglier. Neither women were going to back down from what they believe in and both had very different opinions. Freedom of speech is very important and opinions are very much implied in America.