Civil Rights Site
	Sylvia Cochran BellaOnline's Civil Rights Editor

Civil Rights And The Freedom Of Speech
First article in the series on our freedom of speech.

Civil Rights of Bounty Hunter Dog Chapman Violated
Just when you thought that the soap operas were confined to the Soap Channel or daytime television, there is bounty hunter and reality TV star Duane “Dog” Chapman who utters the name of God and the infamously famous “n-word” with seemingly equal gusto – or so you are led to believe.

Freedom Of Speech, A Computer, And The Will To Use It
Whether we wish to burn a flag, stand on a soap box, organize a protest march, offer our insights on a number of topics, or let lose the most repugnant drivel in the name of freedom of speech...all these utterances are protected by the Constitution.

Freedom Of Speech, Gag Rules, Gag Orders, And Gagged Critics
First amendment aficionados should respond to "gagging" with raised hair in the back of the neck. Those not affected by slavery or the Mexico City Policy should take note that free speech is still abridged today.

Freedom Of Speech, National Origin, And Religious Belief
Should American citizens accept that the right to freedom of speech may be abridged at their government’s discretion?

Freedom Of Speech, Obscenity, And The Super Bowl
Critics argue that obscenity has not been shown to cause measurable harm to individuals or society as a whole. Perhaps. Yet does it not aid in the overall desensitizing of society toward the proper respect between the genders?

Funeral Protests and the First Amendment
As you may know, there is a certain church denomination that has taken it upon themselves to exercise their rights to free speech at the funerals of slain service men and women.

Hate Speech Is a Civil Right
Is it truly wise to enact certain limitations to the First Amendment, even if they were to curtail the incidents of hate speech?

Keeping It Real – The First Amendment
At times the question begs whether the forefathers were perhaps a bit too confident in “we the people” and our ability to judge right from wrong and follow the spirit of the First Amendment. Where will you draw the line? Will you faithfully toe this line if tomorrow you find yourself behind it?

Pandering To the Fringe – Hate and the First Amendment
Pretending to be openly critical of the government and its elected officials, the airwaves, newspapers, and television shows are now filled with the anger, hatred, and vitriol of haters who pander to the fringe elements. Are the fringes taking over mainstream politics?

Should Flag Burning Be Outlawed?
Have you ever heard of the Flag Burning Amendment? Have you ever heard it said that “you cannot legislate intelligence?”

The Fairness Doctrine – Is It Fair?
If you are a talk radio junkie, you have probably heard the buzz about the fairness doctrine. Word on the street has it that the “libs” are trying to shut down the usually right off center talk radio by forcing the venue to apply the fairness doctrine.