Of Cats and Kids

First Amendment poll: Not sure if this is sad or funny

Posted by: Carol Lombardi

Thursday, March 2, 2006 12:00 AM

Where is Schoolhouse Rock when we need it?

A survey by the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum found that Americans are more familiar with characters from "The Simpsons" than they are with the details of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

When I heard the news item I mentally quizzed myself and could only name four of the five First Amendment freedoms. It turns out we also have the right to petition for redress of grievances, whatever that means. I'm not sure I've ever even heard of that one. I think it means the right to complain.

FYI, the First Amendment states, "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."

I am mildly curious whether George Bush knew any of these freedoms existed before his briefing this morning when his advisors likely gave him a cheat sheet just in case reporters brought it up. I hope they told him how to pronounce all the big words.

On a completely unrelated note, this First Amendment-related article about Governors State University came up fourth on my Google search, and I am linking to it because it came from The Niagara Falls Reporter, which is an exceptionally cool independent weekly in my hometown.

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