Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

They can't ban speech for being deceptive. They can only ban deception intentionally deployed for purposes of coercing other people. Similarly, "give me your wallet or I will shoot you" is also in a sense speech.

That distinction might not matter to you; fine. I have a bigger qualm with the Executive Order question.



And a strict reading of the first amendment would allow "give me your wallet or I will shoot you". Of course, it could punish you for actually shooting, and so the threat may be incredible.

I wonder if congress can ban a mixture of the first and second on a literal interpretation? That is, allow people to bear arms, and allow them to threaten to shoot, but not at the same time? That would be a fascinating legal question in the alternate strict-law universe.


The EO question is just highlighting that 1st Amendment only applies to Congress. It isn't quizzing you on the rest of US law.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: