OPINION:
Andrew Napolitano’s Aug. 3 op-ed (“Individuals, not government, have the freedom of speech”) says no such thing
The quoted First Amendment line makes that clear: “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech.” Since the amendment does not specify whose freedom it means, then by omission it means everyone’s.
Judge Napolitano goes on to compare natural rights and man-made privileges. The difference lies in why abridging the latter is legitimate, whereas abridging the former is not. That — and not whose rights they are — is Judge Napolitano’s gist.
Headlines should accurately announce what follows. Misleading ones may be usual these days with the establishment media. But with The Washington Times, we don’t expect them.
JOHN S. MASON JR.
Irvington, Virginia
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