An earlier post on the bill extending protection from those who want to protest near reproductive health clinics raises the question of the extent, limits and consequences of the First Amendment.

It seems to me that any "freedom of" something necessarily includes a "freedom from" the same thing. For example, I can print anything I want, but you don't have to read it. My "freedom of the press" includes your "freedom from the press;" otherwise that "freedom" is a chimera.

When it comes to reproductive health clinics, the freedom people have to protest some of the services they provide must end when it interferes with the freedom those who would avail themselves of the services have to get to the clinics. Unfortunately, all too often the protesters impinge on the freedom of women to go to the clinics, which is why this bill was not only good, but necessary.  read more »

From Norm Siegel's website:

NORMAN TO HOST ANNUAL JULY 4th CELEBRATION IN CENTRAL PARK

NYS Senators Bill Perkins and Eric Adams, Reverend Billy, the Granny Peace Brigade and Grandmothers Against the War to join in public reading of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights at 12 Noon, Strawberry Fields, Central Park.

Come join Norman and friends for this annual July 4th celebration of the anniversary of US Independence and the birth of our civil rights and civil liberties. In addition to the actual text of these historic documents, Norman invites everyone to add their comments and observations to the mix. In years past, this has provided a spirited and memorable way to kick-off the July 4th festivities. Come join us and start your Fourth of July with Norman, Eric Adams, Bill Perkins, the incomparable Reverend Billy, New York’s famous peace-loving grannies and your New York neighbors.  read more »

Democracy, not Theocracy...that is the theme of a national simulcast featuring celebrities and regular citizens who have stood up for separation of church and state.

This comes from the First Freedom First coalition:

Celebrities, Religious Liberty Heroes Headline National Simulcast For Church-State Separation

Don't miss your chance to be part of the action in New York City!

Actors, musicians and comedians will join church-state community members in 25 theaters across the country on Wednesday evening, March 26, 2008 to put church-state separation on the national agenda during the 2008 election season.

Wednesday, March 26

Union Square Stadium 14
850 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
6:00 PM

Click here to reserve your seat today!

Join others at this gathering to learn about the threats to church-state separation and to demand that candidates for elected office answer questions about key issues dealing with individual freedom. Ten questions to ask candidates that have a direct impact on Americans’ lives will be featured.  read more »

Is Impeachment Necessary to Protect the Constitution?
Sunday, March 9, 2008
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Judson Memorial Church
55 Washington Square South, New York City

A Town Hall Meeting organized by AskNadler2Impeach.org with support from Village Independent Democrats, Democracy for NYC, Chelsea Reform Democratic Club, and Progressive Democrats of New York CD 14.

Featured speakers will include Bruce Fein (Constitutional scholar, former associate deputy attorney general, and Chairman of the American Freedom Agenda), Elizabeth Holtzman (Former Member of Congress and co-author of The Impeachment of George W. Bush: A Practical Guide for Concerned Citizens), Scott Horton (Contributor to Harper's Magazine, adjunct professor at Columbia Law School, and member of the board of the National Institute of Military Justice and the Council on Foreign Relations) and John Nirenberg (Former professor, college dean, author, and "March in My Name" impeachment activist). New York City Congressman Jerrold Nadler has also been invited.

Admission is Free. For information call 212.340.9548 or email: info (at) asknadler2impeach.org

Impeachment is being whispered everywhere I go. And, since I live in NYC, Jerrold Nadler and Anthony Weiner are among those who immediately are brought up when the issue comes up. I have several email discussions going about it. I see diaries on Daily Kos about it. And when I got to local Democratic club parties and meetings I hear it brought up.

Here, in progressive Brooklyn it comes down to this question I get asked a hundred times:

Are Anthony Weiner and Jerrold Nadler supporting Yvette Clarke on impeachment of Bush and Cheney.

Oddly, no one asks me about Velasquez and Rangel...or even Towns, who HAS signed on with Clarke.

The bottom line is this: I am being asked several times a day (whether I want it or not!) who in NYC is backing impeachment.

The simple answer is this: Yvette Clarke and Ed Towns are signed on to impeachment. No one else in NYC has so far.  read more »