NCJ Number
50363
Date Published
1977
Length
24 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOKLET PRESENTS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE JANUARY 3, 1977, FIRING LINE PROGRAM IN WHICH FREEDOM UNDER THE BILL OF RIGHTS WAS DISCUSSED BY WILLIAM F. BUCKLEY, JR., RICHARD HARRIS, AND PROFESSORS FROM THREE COLLEGES.
Abstract
HARRIS, THE AUTHOR OF THE BOOK 'FREEDOM SPENT,' HAS ARGUED THAT CONGRESS IS BLIND TO THE PEOPLE'S NEED FOR FREEDOM, THAT THE PRESIDENCY HAS THE POWER TO BRING ABOUT A PERSONAL DESPOTISM, AND THAT THE JUDICIARY NEARLY ALWAYS SERVES THE INTERESTS OF THE STATE RATHER THAN OF ITS CITIZENS. IN THE PRESENT CONVERSATION, THE INITIAL CASE DISCUSSED WAS THAT OF CHARLES JAMES, A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER WHO WAS FIRED FOR WEARING TO HIS ENGLISH CLASS A BLACK ARMBAND MOURNING THE DEAD FROM THE COMBODIAN INCURSION. ANOTHER CASE DISCUSSED CONCERNED MR. AND MRS. MCSURLEY, WHOSE PERSONAL PAPERS WERE SEIZED THROUGH USE OF AN ILLEGAL WARRANT. HARRIS'S POSITION WAS THAT THE BILL OF RIGHTS HAS NOT BEEN ENFORCED. OTHER TOPICS DISCUSSED INCLUDED THE EXCLUSIONARY RULE, PLEA BARGAINING, DISCRETIONARY ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS, RERDRESS AGAINST GOVERNMENT, AND FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. (CFW)