Opinion Center
First Amendment Survey
 
 

 

About Today's Interpretation of Free Speech
Please read the following and then answer a few questions.

The First Amendment to The Constitution of The United States of America:  "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 people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The United States Supreme Court is considering the constitutionality of a Virginia State law which prohibits cross burning.


1.  I often hear the media and people talking about freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment. Agree
Disagree
I don't understand that stuff

2.  'Political Correctness' has severely abridged free speech in the U.S. Agree
Disagree

3.  I have heard of cross burning in the 1800's and 1900's. Agree
Disagree
I don't understand that stuff

4.  I have heard of the historical use of flag burning. Agree
Disagree
I don't understand that stuff

5.  I have heard of the historical use of book burning to inhibit free thought. Agree
Disagree
I don't understand that stuff

6.  When I see the American flag being burned in foreign streets by mobs: I feel angry
I wonder why
I know the mob doesn't understand that we mean no harm
I don't care
I don't understand

7.  When I see a group of Neo-Nazis allowed to march in the streets of an ethnic area of a city: I feel angry
I wonder why
I don't care
I don't understand

8.  When I learn that the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU, is defending Neo-Nazis, the Ku Klux Klan, communists, racists and other such groups that promote ignorance and bigotry: I feel angry
I wonder why
I don't care
I don't understand

9.  Mobs in foreign countries are shown on global television burning American flags in their streets.  Are these mobs exercising their freedoms to express themselves? Yes
No

10.  The ACLU successfully defended and won its case before the U. S. Supreme Court permitting the Neo-Nazi Party to march in predominately black or Jewish neighborhoods.  Is the Neo-Nazi Party exercising its freedom to express itself? Yes
No

11.  Possibly because they have difficulty expressing themselves using intelligent arguments, the KKK and some individuals choose to burn crosses.  Are the KKK and those other individuals exercising their freedom to express themselves? Yes
No

12.  Select the act of symbolism that, if witnessed by you, would upset you the most. Neo-Nazis marching through my home town streets
A cross burning in my city
The American flag being burned by mobs in foreign streets

My reason:


13.  Name a few of the rights & freedoms of expression that you would like to see made illegal. 1.
2.
3.

14.  Do you have any thoughts about the personal guarantee you have of your right to act and speak freely without repercussions?

15.  I am: Female
Male

16.  My age group is: Under 20
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70 & older

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