Friday, September 18, 2009

Amendment I

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.

House Rules Committee Chairwoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY) has released a helpful, updated primer for members regarding their conduct on the floor and in committees.

Under Section 370 of the House Rules and Manual, it has been held that a member could:

• refer to the government as "something hated, something oppressive."

• refer to the president as "using legislative or judicial pork."

• refer to a presidential message as a "disgrace to the country."

• refer to unnamed officials as "our half-baked nitwits handling foreign affairs."

Likewise, it has been held that a member could not:

• call the president a "liar."

• call the president a "hypocrite."

• describe the president's veto of a bill as "cowardly."

• charge that the president has been "intellectually dishonest."

• refer to the president as "giving aid and comfort to the enemy."

• refer to alleged "sexual misconduct on the president's part."

sigh!

7 comments:

Lone Ranger said...

Once you eliminate, "liar, "hypocrite, "cowardly," "intellectually dishonest" and "giving aid and comfort to the enemy," what's left to describe Obama -- that he has good teeth?

Joe said...

Are they really his?

ablur said...

I didn't see "Scumbag" or "media whore" as forbidden under the new rules.

Pasadena Closet Conservative said...

Once they start dictating our speech, this nation is doomed to fail. We must continue to rise up in protest!

shoprat said...

In other words Don't tell the truth if it embarrasses us.

Danny Wright said...

Hmmm, I didn't see "republicans" before each "shalt not". But after 8 years of congressional Democrat Bush Bashing, I'm sure it's got to be in there somewhere.

Susannah said...

Speaking of dictating speech, have you all read "Ella Minnow Pea"? Excellent book. Very telling re: censorship & what happens in societies where words/letters themselves are banned.