Does the First Amendment Include the Right to Lie?
According to an anti-abortion group, the Susan B. Anthony List, the First Amendment protects everyone's constitutional right to be a lying sack of shit.
The State of Ohio has a False Statement law which prohibits political candidates and organizations from making false statements in a campaign ad. And now two groups — the Susan B. Anthony List and the Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes — are suing for the right to lie like a cheap rug. A federal court and an appeals court have both thrown out this frivolous lawsuit. But the Supreme Court has agreed to hear their case.
Uh oh...
The whole thing started during the 2010 election when Democratic Rep. Steven Driehaus was being targeted by gangs of fetus-worshipers. They put up billboards saying “Shame on Steve Driehaus! Driehaus voted FOR taxpayer-funded abortion.”
The billboards were referring to Driehaus' vote in favor of Obamacare. Trouble is, the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) does NOT provide any federal tax funding for abortion. The fetus-humpers were lying. Case closed.
Under Ohio's False Statement Law, the billboards had to come down.
I can't believe the Supreme Court has actually agreed to hear this case. Hopefully they won't overturn the two lower court rulings.
Labels: Ohio False Statement law, Steven Driehaus, Susan B. Anthony List
posted by Tom Harper @ 2:03 PM
10 Comments:
What a surprise. Republicans want the right to lie.
Tom, the Supreme Court has at least five currently serving members who were appointed by lying sacks of shit. So, what's the surprise.
Now that is an interesting question. Is free speech the right to lie? After all, isn't truth in the eye of the beholder? Hummm
As the old standard goes: Free Speech doesn't give you the right to yell "fire" in a crowded theater
Erik
Jerry: Yes, I was shocked -- Shocked!
jadedj: Good point. Not very encouraging, is it.
Mr. C: I assume false advertising would not be protected by the First Amendment. But who knows how the Supreme Court will rule on this.
Erik: I think false advertising and yelling "fire" in a crowded theater are both in the same category and not protected by the Constitution. I hope the Supreme Court agrees.
The argument may come down to whether a political ad is an advertisement or speech. Given that money has already been equated to speech, I am not hopeful.
Jerry: Me either.
Truth is not opinion Mr. C., don't mix these up.
I'm shocked, shocked I tell you to find out republican groups lie. Fox News went to court about something like this in Florida I think it was and they were given a green light to go ahead on with their lying. Susan B Anthony would bitch slap these people, were she here, for all the stuff they do in her name.
Jess: Shocking indeed. Yup, Susan B. Anthony would kick their asses.
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