The constitution clearly states that

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.

This is all fine and good as far as government goes, but in order to live amongst others, this law needs some interpretation. Perhaps treating this law as gold is not the wisest way to approach freedom of speech. Perhaps instead people should think about how what they are saying is going to effect the lives of other American citizens before they

Being from New York, a recent issue of freedom of speech has come to my attention. A controversial exhibit has just been put on display at the Brooklyn Museum, a state funded museum. Some of the things displayed include a painting smeared with cow dung, and a sliced cow placed in clear containers. Many people find this ?artwork? offensive, one specific person being the mayor of New York City Rudolf Giuliani. He feels that because the museum is state funded such arguable material should not be displayed. Moreover he is threatening that if this exhibit is not taken down he will pull funding from the museum.

In my opinion it is not the place of the Mayor of the city to dictate to the museum what can be hung on its walls. Perhaps this is only the mayor?s personal belief. Maybe this exhibit offends him and his own beliefs, but in matters of the city that is irrelevant. I am in no way attempting to defend the meaning of these paintings, but who are we as people to censor another?s form of expression. As stated earlier the United States Constitution allows for all forms of express, without limitation, yet the mayor of our fair city sees it fit to go above these guidelines that our forefathers have set up for us and censor artists that bother him personally. And although these laws may seem unreasonable they are all we have right now and they must be abided by.

As far as I am concerned no matter what the definition our first amendment rights are bound to be limited. I can not run into a crowded building and yell FIRE, and yet I am told that I have the right to freedom of speech. I also can not

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