In 1776, America’s Founders gathered in Philadelphia to draft the Declaration of Independence, which dissolved the political ties that had bound the American people to Great Britain. A new nation was thus born, free and independent, the United States of America. Eleven years later, in 1787, after American patriots had won our independence on the battlefield, many of the men who had met earlier in Philadelphia, plus others, met there again to draft a plan for governing the new nation, the Constitution of the United States. In 1789, after the plan had been ratified, the new government was esta...

When too much power is delegated to the news media under the interpretation of the First Amendment of the Constitution it can become arrogant, defiant, and destructive. The right of each individual to the protection of his or her own reputation from unjustified invasion and malicious attack should be fundamental, but is less protected than you might believe. Take a moment to read the basic words of the U.S. Constitution regarding the press. The First Amendment reads, "Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of the press." It says no more, no less. It is well to note that it does no...