ABC, Michael Moore, and the Floating Bar Known as the First Amendment

Did you hear that sound Thursday afternoon? That was the Constitution weeping as one of the nation’s major political parties trampled all over the First Amendment. Remember what that is…that right bestowed upon us by our Founding Fathers guaranteeing freedom of speech?

Well, if what was reported by NewsBusters here, and the Ostroy Report here (hat tip to Hot Air) are correct, and ABC really has caved into political pressure from Democrats – in particular, former President Clinton – to edit the miniseries “The Path to 9/11,” such rights have changed forever. At the very least, this would demonstrate that these rights – which Jefferson said were inalienable, by the way! – apply differently to Democrats and Republicans.

After all, when Michael Moore released a movie billed as a “documentary” in 2004 that contained, according to Dave Kopel, no less than 59 factual errors, Moore was not compelled by a political party to re-edit it. Former President Clinton didn’t call the marketing company involved in the distribution of “Fahrenheit 911” and demand changes be made. The cable companies that have aired this schlockumentary since it was released to them haven't been required to amend its contents to better portray historical events. Why the difference in treatment?

In fact, not only was Moore not required to edit out his errors, he was lauded with high praise from the party currently trying to censor ABC’s miniseries. Or have you forgotten that Moore sat in the executive box at the 2004 Democratic National Convention with former president Jimmy Carter?

But that wasn’t the only time that Democrats heaped praise on Moore. In fact, left-wing bigwigs such as former chairman of the Democratic National Committee Terry McAuliff, and former Democratic presidential candidates Wesley Clarke and Jesse Jackson all cozied up to Moore after "Fahrenheit" was released.

I guess this tells us that if you are a movie or television producer, the First Amendment only applies to you if the Democrats agree with the content of your product.

And Jefferson wept.