HomoEconomus

U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said today that reporters and their news organizations could be prosecuted for publishing classified information. Speaking on ABC's "This Week," Mr. Gonzales opined on the First Amendment: "It can't be the case that that right trumps over the right that Americans would like to see, the ability of the federal government to go after criminal activity."

Sorry, Mr. Gonzales, you are confused: it is the case.

There is no "right" for the federal government to go after criminal activity. Criminal activity is defined within laws, and laws are enacted by Congress or the states. The First Amendment to the Constitution is very clear:

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."

Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of the press....

What part of "no" does Mr. Gonzales not understand? —GAHjr