Piers Morgan Has A Right
By Shawn M. Griffiths on 12/30/2012 with 67 CommentsRead Time: 2 - 4 minutes
whitehouse.gov
In response to a recent article published on IVN about the White House petitions page, some have argued that the rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution do not apply to people who are not citizens of the United States. Yet, this idea seems to misunderstand the meaning of the Bill of Rights.
The argument posed is that Piers Morgan’s right to free speech is not protected in the First Amendment because he is not a citizen of the United States. It is true that he is not a citizen, but he is a legal resident.
Currently, there is a petition on the White House petitions page to deport Morgan because he has been very outspoken about stricter gun control. Petitioners have called it an attack on the Second Amendment and the U.S. Constitution and now demand Morgan be deported because they do not agree with him.
Those that want Morgan out of the country because of his views on the Second Amendment likely believe that the Second Amendment protects a fundamental right. It is here that a paradox emerges.
The argument that Piers Morgan’s free speech is not protected by the constitution because he is not a U.S. citizen seems to imply that not only is the right reserved only for American citizens, but that it is also not a fundamental right.
The Bill of Rights mentions a number of rights and liberties, both individual and collective, that are not bestowed upon the people by the U.S. Constitution, but are guaranteed and protected by it. The right to free speech is not reserved for a select few, but is a right every man and woman is born with.
To say the U.S. government should deport someone who is a legal resident in this country merely because there are disagreements about what he or she said on a hotly debated issue is to say his or her speech is not free, because they are not a citizen. It is an elitist attitude, to say the least.
The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land. The rights protected therein apply to everyone living within its jurisdiction. To say otherwise is to claim our laws do not protect U.S. residents who do not have citizenship, which would be a misguided assumption to make.
Piers Morgan has a right to voice his opinion just like anyone living in the U.S. His words may be perceived by some as a verbal attack on the Second Amendment, but even it if was, how much influence does Morgan have on policy makers? He is not the first TV personality to call for strict gun control and he will not be the last.
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67 Comments
Terri Harel
12.30.2012
@tlharel
The word “right” has become virtually meaningless. Each use of the word needs to be defined; what is fundamental? what is given? what is acquired? to whom does it apply? Anyways, beyond such abstraction, piers morgan can voice his opinion regardless of citizenship.
Steve Cox
12.30.2012
Of course he has a right to free speech!
Vinnie Ferguson
12.30.2012
Is he here on a work Visa?? and when does it expire…;-)
Monte Blachford
12.30.2012
you miss the point ~ yes, he has a right! It’s called ‘Delicious Irony’
Romo Hallahan
12.30.2012
He does have a right to free speech. So does everyone else for calling him out on his crap arguments and intellectual dishonesty.
Gail Lessard
12.30.2012
We have a right to not watch his show AND STOP giving him so much free publicity.
Allan Carroll
12.30.2012
i agree … i also believe it is my right to verbally blast any idiot that i don’t agree with be he foreign or natural born citizen …..
Larraine Leslie
12.30.2012
Yes, he has the right. He’s protected by the first amendment – it doesn’t say you have to be a citizen – the Tea Baggers and the NRA need to get over their moronic ideas – Rupert Murdoch said much the same thing – should we revoke HIS American citizenship next?
Oswaldo Rob Joubert
12.30.2012
he has a right to say what he wants and I have a right to say he is a dickhead. If he dont like it here he should go back to Great Britain.
E Jason Godersky
12.30.2012
He can say what he wants……..i dont have to like it.
Susan Crouse
12.30.2012
Oswaldo – you have the right to say it, but please clean up your language.
Scott Malensek
12.30.2012
He has a right to say what he wants, and I have the right to say the nation would be better served w his absence
George Dana Johnson
12.30.2012
If he is covered by our constitution, yes. Is he an American citizen? He does not have that right since he is not!! Enough of foreigners thinking they can upset our way of life. Deport the scum bag!!!
Stephen Bone
12.30.2012
Piers has a right to not have his speech impeded by the US government when he is not in the US as a guest of the American people. He is however, and therefore must abide by the terms of his visa. If he doesn’t like how things are done he here, send him home and let him kibitz from a safe distance.
Carles Antonio Ximénes
12.30.2012
I’m not an advocate for detaining anybody without due process, but in Piers case, I wouldn’t mind him being labelled a foreign terrorist and sent to Guantanamo Bay by gunpoint. :D
Steve Cox
12.30.2012
If he’d just let people talk, it wouldn’t be so bad. We should try and make him enforce the first amendment on his show to prevent him from yelling over the pro-gun crowd.
Adam Bajerski
12.30.2012
Everybody wants to blast everyone else in grounds of right and wrong. Giving a bad opinion may be one thing, verbally going in the offensive is different. Ben Franklin put it best “Sir, I may not always agree with your opinion, But I will die to defend your right to have it.” Any man woman or child who sets foot in our country will have thses rights protected, weather we agree with what’s said or not. That’s America, these things were laid down by men who were immagrants themselves and therefore not citizens of any country, until the U.S. was fully established, and recognized by the world. Some of the finest men even by today’s standards.
Kurt Blankenship
12.30.2012
apperantly, everyone likes to talk about ‘freedom of speech’, but only a few get to practice it and push their views on us. The reality of this arguement: the ones who make the sacrifice for those freedoms, do not share in its fruits…
Darius Malone
12.30.2012
Of course he has a right to his opinion. If he doesn’t, then we all have lost the true meaning of freedom.
Scardog Bones
12.30.2012
the 1st protects americans as does all the bill of rights. the constitution creates the government, creates the bounds of the government and restricts the government. the bill of rights is a contract between the government and the states and we the people. it does NOT cover foreigners. only when a treaty between the nation they are from covers such or they are an employee of that nation working for their government in america would it apply (diplomatic immunity). however he has a right to say what he wishes if it doesnt violate any laws.
Michael O'Boyle
12.30.2012
His speech-never mind how odious it was-is certainly protected. However, it would not be unprecedented if his Green Card was not re-newed. I very much doubt this will happen, but I would relish seeing this duechebag rendered persona non grata.
Scardog Bones
12.30.2012
so i resoundly disagree
Scardog Bones
12.30.2012
Preamble to the Bill of Rights
“Congress of the United States begun and held at the City of New York, on Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.
The Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution expressed a desire in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several states as Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all or any of which articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures to be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the said Constitution. viz.
Articles in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress and Ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.”
Kevin Driscoll
12.30.2012
“A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.”
- George Washington, First US President, 1789-1797
Adam Bajerski
12.30.2012
All thought I am prosecond amendment. If our founding fathers seen our military they’d be asking where the local militias tanks, carriers, and fighter jets are:-) . Or our M4′s P90′s and other assult rifles, and sub machine guns are.
Scardog Bones
12.30.2012
key phrase is in the second paragraph, ” … a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution expressed a desire in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added…”
Scardog Bones
12.30.2012
the bill of rights grants no rights but prohibits and declares. since it grants no rights but protects the people and the states from federal abuse of the listed rights it is a contract between those parties and not foreigners
Adam Bajerski
12.30.2012
Where does it expressly state that it does not cover foriegners. No anyone who comes to this country should be protected by the same rights as everyone else. America the beautiful, not America the hypocrate.
Craig Parrish
12.30.2012
Piers Morgan was actively involved in hacking the phones of celebrities and crime victims for news stories in his past employment. He is a piece of dog poop wrapped in human skin. The rights of trolls like Morgan are sadly protected. Everyone just needs to realize the source of this great “wisdom” and not watch his crap show..
Duane Dichiara
12.30.2012
It would be great if the editors over at IVN took 5 minutes on half of these posts and reviewed court decisions, which are very clear on the topic.
Gary Olson
12.30.2012
What you claim for yourself, you wish to deny others. The Rightwing Extremists of the Republican Party are approaching anarchy!
Dana Iswriting Ron Paul'in
12.30.2012
He wants children in schools to be defenseless.. He want’s american children to be killed in their “No defense zones”. He is a terrorist.
Adam Bajerski
12.30.2012
Well yes it can be read that way, but what does the sign At ellis Island say. The point I’m getting at is there has always been a spirit of all men being equal, and that shouldn’t stop or change simply because you were born elsewhere. When people come to visit they must follow the same laws as we, so their rights should be protected the same. We’re always trying to come up with specifics when it come to legality. Problem with that is we get so wrapped up in the complexities of laws and rights that we never solve the problems which are simple. One law on our soil, and one gaurentee of rights that are protected. These rights are unalienable and are right of birth. Lincoln put it best decades later when he said All men are created equal. We have forgotten that we are this worlds best shining example of what a free democratic society is. But to lead with that example then that means we must remain consistant. The rights I was born with here in the states are the same rights my grand-parents were born with then denied in Nazi occupyed Poland. They deserved those rights to be protected just as much as I do. We protect those rights simply because it is the right thing to do.
Pat Disney
12.30.2012
Other common grounds for deportation include the following: aiding or encouraging another alien to enter the country illegally; engaging in marriage fraud to gain U.S. admission; participating in an activity that threatens the U.S.’s national security; voting unlawfully; and failing to update the government with a residential address every three months, regardless of whether the address has changed. based on this information the only possible reason to deport would be,:participating in an activity that threatens the U.S.’s national security. but seeing as this is a moot subject the executive branch will not find reason to deport. apart from this, Mr. Morgan has every right to say what he will in a political manner (protected by constitutional law). but, we also have the right and legal grounds to call him a moronic fool for his ideology and lack of understanding. after the Dunblaine shootings in britain the entire liberal media and government rallied behind disarmament and limited access of law abiding citizens to personal defense of their homes and property. Mr.Morgan would do well to stop 1 siding the actual statistics of violent crime and the toll it has taken on the law abiding citizens of great britain and Australia.
Adam Bajerski
12.30.2012
I’m not agreeing with him, just saying his rights should be protected like everyone else’s
Adam Bajerski
12.30.2012
I for one agree he’s an idiot, But it he should be deported in those ground well, then so should nancy grace. :-)
Adam Bajerski
12.30.2012
*if
Rodney Housholder
12.30.2012
Any assault on the Consultation or the Bill of Rights is an assault on the people and the Country and there for Treason’s. And a slap in the face of ever Veteran that has put there life on the line to protect it. Citizenship should be earned. And not given away. You cant respect something you have not invested in.
Dennis Shaffner
12.30.2012
Ricky Gervais is also spot on.
Raymond Davis
12.30.2012
I disagree. Our Constitution only give American Citizens those rights not foreigners. He should get the hell out of our country.
James Francis Dacayanan
12.30.2012
Does anyone remember the Framers writing something about how the Creator endowed man with certain inalienable rights? It took a few amendments and court decisions to clarify that “man” includes men of color and women. Surely we need no more lessons. Let everyone speak without fear. Even the fear mongers so that the truth be known about them.
Richard Griffin
12.30.2012
He is a foreigner using his position to try to subvert our Constitution.
Elise Hokman
12.30.2012
It doesn’t matter what his ‘rights’ are..he is hired by a corporation to do a job and he’s doing it. If they don’t want him to say what he thinks, they would fire him. If people don’t like him, don’t want his show.
Shaari Rogacs
12.30.2012
I think that the right to free speech is one that should be reserved for citizens of this country. Don’t come here and insult our way of doing things. England has plenty of crime and murders even with gun controls. Send the idiot back to England.
Jeff Mullen
12.30.2012
A few years ago, my ex-gf’s husband was given a choice: sign a contract stating that he would express no negative opinion of Microsoft, Inc. or any of its products (under threat of loss of job) or lose his job.
I am told that soldiers entering the armed services sign a similar “legal agreement.”
Thus, the Constitution DOES ***NOT*** provide a universal right of all United States Citizens to freedom of speech. In fact, this is another instance where the Institution of Power known as the Corporation has more power than that of Government. Something needs to be done about this.
Likewise, the far right has given government the excuse to basically render peaceful protest meaningless, so that it is difficult to use our rights of free speech and association to protest his ungainly opinions.
That said, though I take issue with Mr. Morgan’s opinions, as expressed in “The Apprentice,” regarding the nature of leadership, I happen to agree with him that we need stricter gun control laws–and I happen to feel that forcing him out of the country is the typical right-wing response to things that they do not agree with: attack the person rather than try to make the argument on its merits.
You have a right not to watch his show. I never did. But you don’t have the right to force him out of the country just because you don’t believe in his politics.
Dustin Hennessy
12.30.2012
But when u say/promote something that undermines a constitutional right, especially when youre a foreigner allowed into this country, you are expected to adhere to those principales…hes deserves the backlash hes getting…
Kate Swigonski
12.30.2012
He has the right of voice his opinion, and I retaqin the right to think he is a pompus idiot.
Gino Hernandez
12.30.2012
its true his rights are protected. they are God given rights and the constitution is a document that protects those rights not endows them. BUT what he is saying is in my opinion a threat to national security. hes using his influence as an anchor to gain momentum to a government gun grab that we all know will lead to the destruction of all of our freedoms.
Nanson Hwa
12.30.2012
Every individual who is lives or is traveling through and is under the Unites States jurisdiction has a inalienable right to freedom of speech whether he or she is legal or illegal even at the cost of unrighteous laws that deals with oppression.
Kathy Verduzco
12.30.2012
Yes he has the right to shut the hell up
Johnny Ritchie
12.30.2012
Agree.
George Dana Johnson
12.30.2012
The radical left and their feel good political correctness is another step of about a 40 year journey to bring this country down.. I suppose our bill of rights applies all over the world? I will remember to have a copy on me the next time I visit anywhere abroad.
Kathy Jones
12.30.2012
I think he has a right to speak his piece a d I also think its a right to bear arms. As long as you are not showing intent to harm others it is our right. The problem is when people start taking away your rights. And I find both parties guilty of that attempt.
Paul Trovato
12.30.2012
He’s not a credible journalist. He’s a propagandist.
Donna Jean Rettmann
12.30.2012
And I have the right to call him a bloomin’ idiot and tell him if he doesn’t like it here, he is more than welcome to go home!
Jeff Delancey
12.31.2012
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Jeff Delancey
12.31.2012
I saw no footnotes to include foreign citizens…. but there is a path to citizenship. I find no protection for mr Morgan under the constitution.
James Marvel
12.31.2012
He has the right, but he needs to be kicked out as an UNDESIRABLE!
Jeff Egan
12.31.2012
I agree.
Dennis Jacques
12.31.2012
Morgan is not deportable, just deplorable. His rude, ignorant, and untimely rant only underscored the bias of the MSM against the second amendment. Nurses and Doctors kill ten times as many people/year as do firearms… do we need better Doctor and Nurse Control? YES! But…. who will pay for it?
George E Kurywczak
12.31.2012
He can say whatever he wants. Doesn’t mean we have to pay heed to what he says. Both are rights given by the Constitution.
Somaura Jackson
12.31.2012
freedom of speech is a human right. existed before the US constitution
Somaura Jackson
12.31.2012
The constitution doesn’t GIVE anyone rights. It recognizes the rights Everyone has. Inalienable rights that have nothing to do with your nationality
Marion Miranda-Keane
12.31.2012
Why does the truth hurt ?
William Braman
01.05.2013
the founding fathers would turn over in their graves if they could see how americans voted to turn this country from free enterprise to an islamic socialist state
Tristan Cody
01.10.2013
@educatelepeople
He has the right, I have the right and you have the right. The issue is that we have people who take this right and go over bounds with it and then begins to degrade the value of both the right and themselves. This is my humble opinion, keep in mind. I am not one for gun-control, but Piers should stay (unless, of course, he would like to go) and we should all get back to what truly needs to be done; learning more about what to do with the current issues at hand.
Calcio E Calcetto
01.19.2013
your content, I really like