The First Amendment Day Blog

Celebrating the five freedoms of the first amendment. 10th anniversary (be there): April 12, 2012. var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-28707891-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

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Ken Paulson will be speaking in the South Ballroom, not the Pioneer Room as earlier schedules announced. Follow the link above to the most up to date schedule of all FAD events. 

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Did you know our Keynote speaker was on the team that founded USA Today? Learn that, and a lot more about our honored guest in this article from Iowa State's news service. 

And, of course, be sure to come out to the SOUTH BALLROOM (NOT the pioneer room as earlier schedules announced) tonight at 7 to hear Paulson's speech on news for a new generation. 

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As proposed by the Obama administration, the United States Congress should allow the Bush tax cuts to expire for individuals making over $200,000 and couples making over $250,000, in December 2012.

That's the topic of tonight's debate — come to the South Ballroom tonight at 7 to hear the ISU Democrats square off against last year's champions, the ISU Republicans, on this taxing (ha, ha) issue. 

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Get real pumped. And check out the full schedule at the link above. 

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FAD cover photo! Share the love on your Facebook. 

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It's dorky, yet principled. It's the SPJ Code of Ethics, in song. 

(PS, ONE WEEK to FAD 2012! Pumped?)

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The star of The Godfather declined to accept the coveted best actor statuette because he was protesting the portrayal of Native Americans in film. 

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Goodness gracious, great balls of fire! This upbeat 1957 song came under scrutiny in 2001, landing on Clear Channel's controversial list of "lyrically questionable" songs. 

(PS, for more on censorship of music, mark your calendar for Freedom Sings.)

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“No family is obliged to acquiesce when publishers use the vehicle of fundamental free-expression principles to try to bulldoze coarseness or misery into their children’s lives.”

Meghan Cox Gurdon on The Hunger Games

Do you think the series is too dark for kids?

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140 characters may not be enough to change the world, but the First Amendment did it in 272.

Brian DeConinck, one of 22 winners of the #freetotweet scholarship competition. More than 17,000 entries, most of them tweets, extolled the importance of the First Amendment on the 220th birthday of the Bill of Rights, and the winners were announced yesterday, the 261st birthday of James Madison. Check out all the winning tweets here. 

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Four weeks to First Amendment Day!

That's right, FAD 2012 is April 12, just four short weeks from today. Here's a sampling of what we're working on:

Advertising: Keep an eye out for some thought-provoking statements around campus soon. 

Finalizing the schedule: Most things have been pinned down, and final tweaks are being made to locations and topics. 

Seeking student involvement: We're looking for people to march with us, #occupyisu, set up booths at the Feast and generally be awesome and share our First Amendment love. Contact us if you want to know more. 

And some things you can do to get ready: 

Show your support by joining the event on Facebook. Find that "Invite Friends" button and use it.

Keep an eye out for T-shirt sales, coming soon. (Anyone who took 202 with Bulla knows what a big deal this is.)

We're pumped, and hopefully you are too -- see you in four weeks!

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Today in history: Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Suess, was born. While he is most beloved for his quirky rhymes and memorable characters, he also used those techniques to tackle deeper themes — such as environmentalism in The Lorax and the nuclear arms race in The Butter Battle Book. 

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Be sure to grab the latest issue of Uhuru Magazine, on campus now! This edition features articles dealing with issues of freedom — including SOPA, flag burning, free speech and slander, stereotypes of Islam in America and an article on First Amendment Day. Plus, that stunning cover photo! 

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Better a thousandfold abuse of free speech than denial of free speech.

Charles Bradlaugh

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It appears that some school officials, teachers, and parents have assumed that religious expression of any type is either inappropriate or forbidden altogether in public schools; however, nothing in the First Amendment converts our public schools into religion-free zones.

Bill Clinton

(ps, interested in religion in schools? We have an event for you.)