Is the First Amendment Endangered?

“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.” (US Bill of Rights , First Amendment)

Protesting peacefully (assembling) is an American right, speaking out against the government is one of our freedoms; and reporting on these matters is a liberty enjoyed by a free press. However recent events have seen each of these under attack. Secret unnamed police violently attacked demonstrators in Portland claiming defense of the Federal Courthouse there. Groups calling themselves Moms, Dad, and Vets marched in front of the original protesters in an attempt to protect the rights of the protesters, yet still were attacked.  

Other groups, both named and unnamed, attacked Black Lives Matters peaceful demonstrators in Washington DC in front of the White House; many also targeted members of the press who later displayed wounds from pellets and pepper sprays fired at them. Helicopters flew low over DC streets in urban warfare moves – their rotors created a mini-windstorm. In Minneapolis and New York City, members of the press, who were clearly identified, were tear gassed and, at times, arrested. These actions do not appear to be random and seem to be a part of the Presidential campaign propaganda about 'anarchists' and the 'left-wing media'. Where is this going to take us?  Do you think, as I do, that much of this is political theater and that the threats to take federalized troops into urban areas run most often by Democrats, is a fear campaign aimed at frightening women voters? The press has vowed to not be intimidated; but how many reporters can be risked in order to report the news? Will these events serve to further divide and isolate Americans from each other?

Next, – a bit of history.  Do you remember “Kent State”? A quick recap:  In May, 1970 President Nixon expanded the Vietnam War into Cambodia – an act which caused the anti-war campuses across America to erupt in protest. Students on the campus of Kent State in Ohio demonstrated over the weekend of May 2nd so the Governor of Ohio called in the National Guard to quell a planned demonstration on Monday. Unfortunately, the Guard came armed with live ammunition and took up a position atop a slight hill.  When some students started up that hill, 28 Guardsmen fired their guns across the campus.  Thirteen seconds later, four students were dead and nine others were wounded.  The death of one student was caught on camera and the photo was shared nationwide. Campuses across the US exploded with widespread student strikes and anti-war demonstrations; multiple campuses were affected and Kent State, for one, suspended classes for the semester.  But – the nation was also traumatized – and this hardened positions against the war and the President for many.

What might happen today, should one of the protesters pepper sprayed, clubbed or targeted by the secret police, die from their experience?  What roads will we, as a country, then walk down? I so hope that this does not happen, but I fear that those in charge of these misguided escapades have not thought that far ahead; all they see is the fires and the tear gas and marvel at the spectacle it presents.  I do believe most Americans are smarter than expected and will not buy into these messages.

Other news this week looked at the economy and the inability of the Republican Senators to commit to further bail outs and propping up of the more than 50 million American workers currently filing for unemployment benefits. Although the current unemployment rate is said to be 11%, the actual rate for minority persons is higher at approximately 15%. There are significant concerns that there will be a large increase in homelessness unless some more rescue efforts come through.  In Montgomery County, Maryland, a committee is working to use some of the COVID-19 allotments to help those who are facing evictions as the state-wide moratorium on evictions is ending.  How does one wash hands and keep socially distant if their car becomes their home? Homelessness and pandemics d not co-exist well. Putting aside the facts that two-fifths of the members of Congress are millionaires, (2017 Roll Call data) these folks are actually dithering about the belief that too generous amounts in benefits would keep people from returning to jobs that they could have.  It seems to me, that if unemployment pays more than your hourly wages, then those wages are too low.  The Federal minimum wage is still $7.25 for hourly workers and less for those whose jobs include tips.

COVID-19 update from the CDC

Total US cases:  4,163,892 Total Deaths: 145,982.  Total new cases for 7/25: 64,582

Total number of cases: Maryland 83,054 Total Deaths: 3433.  Total new cases last 24 hours: 1,288 (large increase!)

The totals continue to look dismal across the country.  The average numbers of new cases per day have been over 60,000 lately with a few days tallying over 70,000.  These numbers have convinced many school systems to defer actual in person school classes for the fall semester, despite both threats and assurances from the Department of Education and the White House.

Timely Tidbits for this week:

•  The first Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, when asked about the sending of forces to   Portland said:  “Homeland security forces were not created to be the President’s private     militia."     
• The President, when faced with overwhelming and increasing cases of the corona virus in Florida, finally gave up on moving the Republican convention to Jacksonville and cancelled the in person gathering.  Could it be that the numbers of elderly senators who had already bailed on the event made an impression?
• Several major airlines announced this week that they would require masks on all passengers and would deny boarding to those who would not comply. Hey guys, we are almost six months into this pandemic, what has taken you so long?
• Former Congressman John Lewis made a final trip across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Alabama today as his horse drawn casket retraced his steps from so many years ago. Efforts are underway to rework the Voting Rights Act and name it in his honor. Let’s hope that it succeeds in passing Congress this time.

Finally, Election Day is 100 days from today.  I might guess, if you are reading this that you are registered to vote, but one never knows.  Have you checked the voter rolls to see if your name is there?  In some states, you might have been subjected to a purge if you were not a frequent voter or have moved.  Do you have the correct in state required voter ID?  Some states have now restricted student ID’s; other states have tried to decrease the voting of Native Americans since they frequently use PO Boxes or might not have certain ID. Has your polling place been closed or moved?  What are the rules in your state for absentee ballots; are you aware that the newly appointed Postmaster has officially slowed down mail pickups and deliveries?  Best bet is to mail early. Today the Postal Service handles more than 472.1 million pieces of regular mail each day; 138 million people voted in the 2016 Presidential election. Ballots from a recent June Primary in New York state are still being counted as the mechanism to handle the deluge of absentee ballots was totally inadequate.  With many voters not wishing to stand in long lines at the polls, this election season may well be both difficult and disastrous with results delayed for weeks, much as those have already been in California, this year and in 2018. Congress has refused to allocate enough funds to provide for issuing and counting a large number of “vote by mail” ballots, because it is not in the interest of the President and his party to encourage large turn-outs. Despite polls showing Joe Biden with a large lead in many states, Democrats should not become complacent. This will be a tough election as no party ever cedes power easily.

So, on that worrisome note I will say so long for now.  It will be quite a while before we can sing “Happy Days are Here again….”.

Peace.