BCT Editorial – 9/7/10

The Times has a checkered history when it comes to the free speech clause of the First Amendment.  See “For what it’s worth” (1/26/10) and “Scared stiff” (1/29/10) for examples.  In this case, though, I believe the editorial was exactly correct.  The key for me is the event was a truly public event with then-President Bush acting in his capacity as President.  Had Mr. Bush been acting as a private citizen, such as speaking at a campaign fundraising event, the sponsoring group would have had the right to control attendance.