Bear's Blog

Everyone in America knows the phrase “free speech”. The internet has accelerated the complicated questions about what speech is protected, and how and when to apply limits (hate? pornography?). Right now journalists, universities, protesters, and even people whose private comments offend the regime are targeted. It’s time to revisit the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights. Speech is not the only thing it covers! There are other critical rights under threat right now…

The First Amendment (adopted in 1791) protects five fundamental freedoms: religion, speech, the press, peaceful assembly, and the right to petition the government.

THE PRESS - journalists and media in general - have been extorted and threatened by the President to quash criticism and also for personal financial gain.

SPEECH is being monitored through social networks; Big Brother is implementing surveillance technology that will make it even more pervasive.

PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY - non-violent protestors have been assaulted, tear gassed, tased, shot with rubber bullets, arrested and detained (including journalists, religious leaders and elected officials.) 

PETITIONING - legislation that upholds the law is not being passed, no matter how often Democrats in Congress try (or how many people they represent). We are becoming a one-party system - that’s called dictatorship, authoritarianism, oligarchy - take your pick.

RELIGION is the freedom that motivated the first European settlers to flee their countries. It was one of the most important tenets of the new American government; to ensure this freedom, there was a clearly defined separation between church and state. The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment forbids Congress from making any law that establishes an “official” religion, and prohibits the government from favoring one religion (or non-religion) over another. In other words, discrimination of a person or group based on religion is not constitutional. 

America also rejected rule by a King at its inception. We have a wanna-be king in word and deed as president, but the real teeth in that desire goes far beyond one person. It’s called the “unitary executive” theory of government, promoted and now implemented by the 2025 crew. They are Christian Nationalists who want to restrict personal liberties and codify their own religious beliefs.

After decades of work and much money, they have successfully: bought the Supreme Court; created a Congress that enacts their agenda; and installed the perfect Executive (President) to make their dream a reality (who comes with a cult - white nationalists, too!)

This came to a head recently when a popular Christian Nationalist figure was assassinated. He reached millions, with his political, religious movement – a new wave of MAGA? Lionized as a martyr, he espoused a hateful, prejudiced and misogynistic agenda. He was described at his funeral as a “hero to the United States of America”; flags were flown at half-mast, and he received the Medal of Honor.

In response, Trump and allies have also promised to go after left-wing groups with “righteous fury”. The federal investigation hasn’t found any direct link to left-wing groups, but it’s been made clear that any dissent or insufficient reverence will be punished.

Institutions and companies have capitulated, most infamously in the case of a late-night host being temporarily cancelled (power to the people!*) The State department has revoked visas, people have been fired and others are receiving threats. This event is being used to further the union of church and state. We have the right to reject that assertion, and the imposition of a religious jihad on all of us.

Peace, love and healing -

Bear

*Aside from showing up to protest and volunteering, wielding economic power is an extremely effective way to combat authoritarianism! BOYCOTT BEZOS! (Yes we have become addicted to convenience, but there's alternatives; if not, you can order from Amazon without a Prime membership.) I'm working on quitting the other tech oligarchies too...