From: tcmay@netcom.com (Timothy C. May)
Newsgroups: talk.politics.guns,alt.individualism
Subject: A Waiting Period for Free Speech
Date: 24 Jul 92 01:30:19 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest)

A MODEST PROPOSAL FOR WAITING PERIODS ON FREE SPEECH

I propose a reasonable waiting period on free speech. This would not be an
infringement of First Amendment rights, any more than a waiting period for gun
purchases is an infringement on Second Amendment rights.

(All of you people complaining about waiting periods for the purchase of guns
should just shut up. Reasonable compromises on basic constitutional rights are
already in place. For example, all citizens have the right to vote--and yet
most states have a "waiting period" of weeks or more between registration and
voting. Furthermore, many of you complain about how "motor voting" (instant
registration) would be a "bad thing." So much for consistency.)

Here's how it would work:

A person wishing to say something in a public forum, like Usenet, or a letter
to the editor, or whatever, would fill out some forms, pay a reasonable fee to
cover the costs of the paperwork (probably less than $35), and then be notified
in the next 15 days whether he or she had passed the requirements for free
speech.The fee would help cover the costs of administering the program, hiring
the censors--I mean evaluators--and expanding the program into other areas.

We all know that speech is dangerous. Hitler's rantings killed vastly more
people than all the handguns ever have. And people say crazy, impulsive things.
A "cooling off" period would lessen these intemperate remarks. "Assault
speech," like those evil "assault rifles," could be banned out of hand.

To those who want to speak without a reasonable waiting period, I say: "Plan
ahead!" I have no sympathy with those who don't know what they need to say a
few weeks in advance.

I also advocate the introduction of mandatory "speech safety" programs. Those
seeking to exercise their constitutional right of free speech would be required
to complete a basic course in speech safety operated by the local authorities.
A basic test could be given to ensure that the proper opinions are held.

The same kind of reasonable limitations can, and should, be placed on other
so-called basic rights.

A reasonable waiting period and payment of reasonable fees for the practice of
religion and prayer would be fully consistent with this proposal. This would
screen out the marginal believers and crazies (of which there are many in the
religious field!). Obvious heretics and religious felons (Jim and Tammy come to
mind) would be unable to get a permit, while ordinary people would be only
slightly delayed in the practice of religion. Again, plan ahead! (God will
wait.)

The same waiting periods could be applied for the freedom of assembly, further
extending the many existing laws covering assembly permits (ask the Nazis in
Skokie about the freedom of assembly) and anti-loitering laws.

Reasonable waiting periods and registration fees for constitutional rights are
NOT a compromise of our basic freedoms! 

By the way, I gather that these views are going out across state lines? I
thought the Speech Control Act of 1968 banned the interstate shipment of free
speech? Or am I thinking of the Gun Control Act of 1968? Never mind.

Just a modest proposal.



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