New Attack on Free Speech

A very troubling development in Washington - a new attack on the free speech
of Americans from the Obama Administration.

Yesterday, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) wrote to President Obama expressing
his concerns about a recent post on the White House blog written by Macon
Phillips, the White House Director of New Media.

In his post, Phillips notes "[t]here is a lot of disinformation about health
insurance reform out there" both on the web and floating around in chain
emails. Phillips states that "[s]ince we can't keep track of all of them
here at the White House, we're asking for your help. If you get an email or
see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy,
send it to ."

In a nutshell, the White House is asking you to report on your neighbors,
family, and friends who disagree with the President's policy choices on
health care. The White House is also implying that you should think twice
before sending an email disagreeing with the President, since it might end
up being forwarded to them. The White House email address says it all - let's
"flag" those who disagree with us. For what purpose are these individuals
being flagged?

In his letter, Senator Cornyn rightly seeks assurances from President Obama
that this new reporting program will be "carried out in a manner consistent
with the First Amendment and America's tradition of free speech and public
discourse." He poses several questions, including, "[h]ow do you intend to
use the names, email addresses, IP addresses, and identities of citizens who
are reported to have engaged in 'fishy' speech" and "[w]hat action do you
intend to take against citizens who have been reported for engaging in
'fishy' speech."

The First Amendment states, in part, that "Congress shall make no law . . .
abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble." Our Founding Fathers fought and died for the right
to speak openly and freely about the government.

President Obama campaigned on the promise of a more transparent and open
government. His new White House reporting program seems aimed at stifling
debate on his health care reform plan. While he knows that he cannot "ban"
such speech, I imagine that he thinks that the fear of being reported to the
authorities will discourage many naysayers from speaking out. I am
concerned about what White House "program" will come next. Who else do we
need to "flag?" Will it be those who attend town halls and speak in
opposition to health care reform? What about those who write op-eds? Or
perhaps those who speak out against mandated abortion coverage on the radio?