Tuesday, April 13, 2010

The Jefferson Muzzles

Below are some of the 'winners' of the Jefferson Muzzles, given each year by the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression to crazy people, states and groups who tend to forget there's a First Amendment.


Top dog is U.S. Representative Alan Grayson (D-FL), for "urging the U.S. Attorney General to seek a monetary fine and a 5 year prison sentence against a vocal critic for alleged violations of Federal Election law that, even if true, represent minor transgressions."

I have many First Amendment-protected things I want to say to Grayson for doing that. But it's actually better to show you what he doesn't like:


On second place is The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, "For preventing the sale of a wine in the State of Alabama because the labels on the wine bottles showed a 19th century depiction of a nude nymph."

I would have just stopped at "preventing the sale of a wine." As penalty, here's some 19th century wine-label nudity:



Also, awesome quote: "It’s still available in 49 states” - Bill Leigon, president of Hahn Family Wines.

Check out the rest of the perpetrators