Obama Uses the First Amendment to Smack Down Deport Piers Morgan Petition

Last updated on February 8th, 2013 at 12:29 am

The White House has responded to the deport Piers Morgan petition by giving the right wing a little refresher course on the First Amendment.

In response to the petition to deport “British Citizen Piers Morgan for Attacking 2nd Amendment,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney wrote,

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Thank you for participating in We the People to speak out on an issue that matters to you.

Let’s not let arguments over the Constitution’s Second Amendment violate the spirit of its First. President Obama believes that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to bear arms. However, the Constitution not only guarantees an individual right to bear arms, but also enshrines the freedom of speech and the freedom of the press — fundamental principles that are essential to our democracy. Americans may disagree on matters of public policy and express those disagreements vigorously, but no one should be punished by the government simply because he or she expressed a view on the Second Amendment — or any other matter of public concern.

We recognize that the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, sparked an intense, and at times emotional, national conversation about the steps we can take as a country to reduce gun violence. In fact, your petition is one of many on the issue, and President Obama personally responded by sharing his views on this important issue.

In short, President Obama reminded the right that the constitution is not their personal toy. They don’t get to violate the rights of another, or in this case the rest of us, because they disagree with the opinions of others. The right was willing to throw out the freedoms of speech and press, because they were upset over what Piers Morgan said about the Second Amendment.

Obama’s lesson was simple. The Second Amendment is not more important than any of our other constitutionally protected rights.

Consider yourselves schooled “patriots.”

Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association