Rent Control

I have a friend and co-author and editor of many of this blog's pieces who wrote the following.  It was written to be spoken at a City Council meeting.  I believe it speaks for itself.

Zenger/Trump

The proper title of this blogpost should be “A Brief History of Libel Laws in America – Zenger to Trump.”

In 1734, a 1st generation American and New York printer/journalist named John Peter Zenger was accused by the Crown of libel against New York’s royal governor. His lawyer, Andrew Hamilton (no relative of Alexander), argued that while Zenger had indeed criticized the governor – had indeed committed libel as it was defined back then – what he had written in his newspaper was the truth (truth was not a defense against libel in those days). Despite the law, despite the judge’s attempts to thwart the defense, the jury found Zenger not guilty and Americans began the slow march toward freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

Roe v. Wade

Debate Moderator (DM): So, you are a Pro-Life Republican? 

Republican Candidate (RC): Yes, of course. 

DM: Do you support a jail sentence or the death penalty for a woman who has an abortion? 

RC: Of course not, that is insane.  Even Sarah Palin says as much in a much-viewed interview with Katie Couric on YouTube.

DM: Then you support the Roe v. Wade decision? 

RC: No, all Pro-Life people want to repeal Roe v. Wade. 

DM: But Roe v. Wade is the only protection from prison that a woman who wants an abortion has.  Repeal Roe and the woman will be at the mercy of her state.  Nationwide 71%-23% SUPPORT Roe v Wade, and even 52%-39% of Republicans support it.  Your states’ legislatures are not in touch with their own people.  You call yourself Pro-Life, but you believe what Pro-Choice folks believe.