# CNN doesn't like the US 1st amendment **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 22, 2014, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-doesnt-like-the-us-1st-amendment/691392 "2014-06-22T21:59:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Phatzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/da6949/32.png) [@Phatzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phatzo)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-doesnt-like-the-us-1st-amendment/691392/1 "2014-06-22T21:59:50Z")
I was reading a Benghazi opinion piece on CNN. The comments had diverged into the old show ID to vote debate. I saw this go up in the comment section then all of a sudden disappear, I think the commenter had a good, valid point and luckily copied it for later use. Now I have a use for it, I’ll paste it here and see what you guys think, I certainly don’t think it warranted removal. > [@](#): > > I always enjoy the right to vote discussion with respect to ID. Go looking for an explicit right to vote in the Constitution; good luck finding it. It is an implied right. So the NO ID folks think it’s just horribly, horribly wrong to require ID to exercise a Constitutionally _implied_ right. > > Yet I will wager these same people think it’s absolutely mandatory that ID _and_ background checks be required to exercise an explicit right, the 2nd Amendment. They probably stroke out if they stepped back realized the hypocrisy of their positions vis-a-vis ID and the implicit right to vote and the explicit right to bear arms. > > After the last 14 years I feel certain that the exercise of the implicit right to vote is more dangerous to my freedom than the explicit right to bear arms. > > Need an ID to exercise your explicit, individual right to bear arms (see DC v Heller), you darn sure should need one to exercise an implicit right to vote. > > After this nation elected Bush and Obama….twice each….(talk about slow learners) it’s clear that the implicit right to vote is perhaps the most dangerous right in the entire Constitution. > > “¡Prefiero morir de pie que vivir siempre arrodillado!” > ― Emiliano Zapata ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-doesnt-like-the-us-1st-amendment/691392/2 "2014-06-22T22:06:57Z")
The 1st amendment doesn’t compel CNN to post anyone’s comments. Why would you think that it does? ---
**Author:** ![Cell\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@Cell\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cell_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-doesnt-like-the-us-1st-amendment/691392/3 "2014-06-22T22:18:25Z")
Jesus fucking Christ on a pogo stick, the 1st Amendment restricts the GOVERNMENT from abridging free speech. It has nothing to do with a private company controlling content on the media they maintain. Pay attention in school, people! ---
**Author:** ![WWhiskey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f9ae1b/32.png) [@WWhiskey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WWhiskey)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-doesnt-like-the-us-1st-amendment/691392/4 "2014-06-22T22:29:54Z")
Were did he say that CNN had to allow it ? A news agency that doesn’t allow different viewpoints from its constituents isn’t a news agency , it’s a propaganda device. the above post didn’t fit their personel level of left wing spew without mixing in a little something extra? It would be nice if they read and purged the posts before they get seen by the public, that would at least continue to further their appearance of fair and balanced, oh wait, that’s some other news outlet I’m sure your ok with removing un conforming opinion? Hipocrosy isn’t illegal, it’s just sad ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-doesnt-like-the-us-1st-amendment/691392/5 "2014-06-22T22:33:04Z")
CNN does have a nasty habit of deleting posts but this isn’t a first amendment thing. While I do find their arbitrary deleting of posts annoying, I can’t get too worked up about a deleted post about voter ID that’s supposed to be commenting on Benghazi. ---
**Author:** ![rock\_party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@rock\_party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rock_party)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-doesnt-like-the-us-1st-amendment/691392/6 "2014-06-22T22:51:48Z")
Exactly, for all we know that guy has posted his rant in the comments of every CNN story for who knows how long. Stick to the topic. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-doesnt-like-the-us-1st-amendment/691392/7 "2014-06-22T22:54:36Z")
What was that about armadillos? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-doesnt-like-the-us-1st-amendment/691392/8 "2014-06-22T23:16:14Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > What was that about armadillos? Armadillo pie. Please keep up! Actual, the translation is: I would rather die by pie than live with armadillos. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-doesnt-like-the-us-1st-amendment/691392/9 "2014-06-22T23:25:07Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Armadillo pie. Please keep up! > > Actual, the translation is: > > I would rather die by pie than live with armadillos. When come back, bring armadillo. Nope, doesn’t scan. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-doesnt-like-the-us-1st-amendment/691392/10 "2014-06-22T23:56:50Z")
You could always go [Home with the Armadillo](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKyqKlkylS4) ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-doesnt-like-the-us-1st-amendment/691392/11 "2014-06-23T00:00:08Z")
> [@WWhiskey](#): > > Were did he say that CNN had to allow it ? > A news agency that doesn’t allow different viewpoints from its constituents isn’t a news agency , it’s a propaganda device. Contender for “worst first post”? ---
**Author:** ![WWhiskey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f9ae1b/32.png) [@WWhiskey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WWhiskey)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-doesnt-like-the-us-1st-amendment/691392/12 "2014-06-23T00:10:15Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > Contender for “worst first post”? I didn’t know there was a contest, enlighten me please. Will we be required to register to vote? ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-doesnt-like-the-us-1st-amendment/691392/13 "2014-06-23T00:19:38Z")
> [@Cell\_Guy](#): > > Jesus fucking Christ on a pogo stick, the 1st Amendment restricts the GOVERNMENT from abridging free speech. It has nothing to do with a private company controlling content on the media they maintain. Consequently, I can’t call the OP a cunt and tell him to go fuck himself. Stupid Founding Fathers. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-doesnt-like-the-us-1st-amendment/691392/14 "2014-06-23T00:23:36Z")
> [@WWhiskey](#): > > I didn’t know there was a contest, enlighten me please. Will we be required to register to vote? It’s similar to the one for worst 2nd post. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-doesnt-like-the-us-1st-amendment/691392/15 "2014-06-23T00:28:53Z")
Is it considered Government restriction of free speech when the FCC does it? Hey, I’m just asking questions. Kiddies, here’s a Rock and Roll song for you, it’s a young fella named Stevie Earle, and his tune is called: F The CC [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIoCafn27Ds) ---
**Author:** ![WWhiskey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f9ae1b/32.png) [@WWhiskey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WWhiskey)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-doesnt-like-the-us-1st-amendment/691392/16 "2014-06-23T00:29:06Z")
I’m guessing it doesn’t come with a trip to Rio or free pretzels? ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_No\_Name](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@Mr\_No\_Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_No_Name)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-doesnt-like-the-us-1st-amendment/691392/17 "2014-06-23T01:05:14Z")
As for the OP, I don’t see a First Amendment issue because the server is privately owned but for the life of me, I can see nothing in the portion that he pasted that is disrespectful, or even partisan bloviating. Actually I think it is a pretty astute observation when you are discussing it from a standpoint of principles. Why have a discussion board if you don’t want cogent, respectful discussion? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-doesnt-like-the-us-1st-amendment/691392/18 "2014-06-23T01:09:08Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Consequently, I can’t call the OP a cunt and tell him to go fuck himself. > > Stupid Founding Fathers. [Moderating] Saying “I’d call you a cunt but it’s against the rules,” is still against the rules. Please don’t do this again. No warning issued. [/Moderating] Take that, First Amendment! ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-doesnt-like-the-us-1st-amendment/691392/19 "2014-06-23T01:16:34Z")
If I kick you out of my house, or my business, because I don’t like what you say, I am entirely within my rights and am not violating your Constitutional Rights in any way. ---
**Author:** ![WWhiskey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f9ae1b/32.png) [@WWhiskey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WWhiskey)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-doesnt-like-the-us-1st-amendment/691392/20 "2014-06-23T01:37:42Z")
And in your house you would be right to do so, it is always more peaceful and serene to surround yourself with like minded people but as a news organization it’s not exactly offering equal time to opposing viewpoints . But they are not required to do so and as cheerleaders for ( insert appropriate cause here) it would not be helpful. I’m a firm believer in the equal right to exorcize your rights as granted in the constitution, voting or owning guns, the op ( or the original op at least )is simply pointing out that voting is not an explicit right granted under it, owning guns is, yet we must jump threw numerous hoops to do one while nearly none to do the other, I’d propose equal qualifications for both ! Anyone with an argument to equal ability to exercise rights? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-doesnt-like-the-us-1st-amendment/691392.md?page=2)