Here’s the text:
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.
The most oft cited part is that bit about abridging the freedom of speech but folks seem to forget the lead: “Congress shall make no law . . . ”
This is a quick lesson for Linda Ronstadt, the Dixie Chicks, Whoopi Goldberg, Michael Moore, et al:
You have the right to say what you wish.
Congress has no right to interfere with you saying what you wish.
Here’s the kicker:
The rest of us have the right to tell you to go to hell.