The First Amendment

The very first amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees freedom of speech. It is not unlimited -- incitement to violence is not protected, shouting "fire!" in a crowded theater is not protected, threatening the president is not protected. But pretty much everything else is, no matter how distasteful.

Satire and comedy enjoy special protections, especially when leveled against public figures (who are immune from defamation). So one has to sit up and take notice when a comedian is persecuted for a satirical campaign against our lovely president:


One could argue her picture was in poor taste. One could argue it pushed the boundaries of "satire." But you'd have a hard time making a case that it was truly a threat on Trump's life. She seems to have been prosecuted specifically to throw cold water on anti-Trump comedy, to incite fear in opposition circles. It was intimidation, pure and simple.

It's not like Trump hasn't encouraged his followers to beat up protestors. It's not like Trump hasn't talked about killing journalists. It's not like Trump Administration officials haven't told Saudi princes that murdering foreign journalists is okay with Trump.

But go the OTHER way? Instant career death.