Category: Free Speech

Cline on the Constitution

July 1, 2019 by philcline in Blog / Cline on the Constitution / Free Speech / Judiciary

While I was on vacation the Supreme Court began to wind down their current term and issue opinions on a few highly anticipated cases.   As usual there were a few smart opinions and a few stupid ones.  And following the trend over the past decade, a lot of 5-4 votes.  Though there has been some discussion that […]

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NY Times Case

February 25, 2019 by philcline in Blog / Cline on the Constitution / Free Speech / The Press / Uncategorized

In this week’s segment of Cline on the Constitution I’m once again get distracted by the latest shiny object.  The interruption of my series on voting rights continues so I can discuss Justice Clarence Thomas surprising call for the Supreme Court to reconsider the famous New York Times v. Sullivan case, a case which gutted slander […]

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The Cake Baking case

August 28, 2018 by philcline in Bill of Rights / Blog / Cline on the Constitution / Free Speech / Religion

This week’s segment of Cline on the Constitution.   “We Reserve the Right to Refuse Service to Anyone.”   When Americans think of Civil Rights, they often think of the Constitution.  That is okay.  But it is inaccurate.   Our most fundamental rights are enshrined in the Constitution and Bill of Rights.  There is, however, […]

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Speech Issues on Abortion

August 13, 2018 by philcline in Blog / Cline on the Constitution / Free Speech / Religion

This week’s segment of Cline on the Constitution continues the review of major cases decided by the Supreme Court in the last term.   The court issued opinions on two cases involving Freedom of Speech and Association.   In one case the Court affirmed an important principle regarding Free Speech.  In the other they punted. […]

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The Slants

June 14, 2017 by philcline in Blog / Cline on the Constitution / Free Speech

Simon Tam named his band “The Slants.” The name was intended to be a slur against people of Asian decent. Simon, himself a person of Asian descent, felt that by taking ownership of the derogatory term, he could drain it of its “denigrating force.” When he applied for a trademark for the name, the Federal […]

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