"The First and Fourteenth Amendments say that Congress and the States shall make "no law" which abridges freedom of speech or of the press. In order to sanction a system of censorship I would have to say that "no law" does not mean what it says, that "no law" is qualified to mean "some" laws. I cannot take this step."
by:
William O. Douglas
(1898-1980), U. S. Supreme Court Justice
Source:
Superior Films v. Department of Education of the State of Ohio, 1954
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Reader comments about this quote:
Not shooting the misdirection word smith with all his inconsistent applications, doing one thing and saying another; on its face, I absolutely agree.
 -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    Can't make that leap? Today it is apparent that many judges have no qualms about making any such leaps, original intent is alien to them.
     -- Mike, Pleasant Hill     
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    Political correctness abridges freedom of speech, especially in universities.
     -- jim k, austin tx     
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    Mr. Justice Douglas asks us to believe that words mean what they say and have meaning ? What a concept !
     -- Bobble, Charlotte, VT     
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    And yet, there are thousands of laws regulating speech and arms, even though "Congress shall make no law" to do so in the Constitution.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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