The Clear and Present Danger to the First Amendment
America's commitment to free speech depends on an understanding of the constitutional provision that protects it.
Free speech is on the line.
Photographer: Leon Neal/Getty Images EuropeThis is Bloomberg Opinion Today, a democratic system in which we freely debate Bloomberg Opinion’s opinions. Sign up here.
In the 233 years, nine months and four days since the First Amendment was ratified, Americans have been perfectly consistent about one thing: We misunderstand it. Seriously — nothing quite unites this country like our inability to grasp what James Madison was going on about all those years ago.