Bill of Rights

For this week’s discussion board, I want to reflect on the previous pages in this module.

In this discussion board, I want to you to show an understanding of the material covered in the previous pages.  Please use the terminology or ideas presented in the previous pages.  Failure to do so, will result in a low discussion board grade.

INSTRUCTIONS: 

This discussion board will focus on the Bill of Rights and your interpretation of some of the amendments in the Bill of Rights.  In your responses, make sure to refer to some of the material that was covered in the module and be sure to fully explain your thoughts.

1.) In my video on the 1st Amendment, I discussed the impact of the Supreme Court case Brandenburg v. Ohio and the imminent lawless action test that resulted from it.  One of the consequences of this case was that hate speech is generally seen as protected by the 1st Amendment.  Do you agree that hate speech is something that should be protected by the 1st Amendment?  Do you believe that hate groups, like white supremacist groups, should have their speech protected by the 1st Amendment?  Explain your response and make direct references to the video in your response.

2.) The wording of the 2nd Amendment is quite vague.  There are people who argue that the 2nd Amendment does not mean that all individuals have the right to own a gun due to the usage of the word “militia.”  Other people argue that since there are no longer militia groups, because we now have a large military, that part of the amendment no longer applies and the amendment is implying that we all have the right to protection.  What is your perspective on this debate and what do you think this amendment means?  Be sure to explain your response.

Your FIRST post should be a minimum of 200 words.  Your SECOND and THIRD posts, where you respond to your peers’ posts, each should be a minimum of 100 words.