thewayne: (Headbanger)
[personal profile] thewayne
Then again, what does it matter since we won't have a Bill of Rights for much longer.

Story location: http://wireservice.wired.com/wired/story.asp?section=Breaking&storyId=1165565

Study: Few Americans Know 1st Amendment
Wednesday, March 01, 2006 11:32 a.m. ET
By ANNA JOHNSON Associated Press Writer

CHICAGO (AP) -- Americans apparently know more about "The Simpsons" than they do about the First Amendment.

Only one in four Americans can name more than one of the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment (freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition for redress of grievances.) But more than half can name at least two members of the cartoon family, according to a survey.

The study by the new McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum found that 22 percent of Americans could name all five Simpson family members, compared with just one in 1,000 people who could name all five First Amendment freedoms.

Joe Madeira, director of exhibitions at the museum, said he was surprised by the results.

"Part of the survey really shows there are misconceptions, and part of our mission is to clear up these misconceptions," said Madeira, whose museum will be dedicated to helping visitors understand the First Amendment when it opens in April. "It means we have our job cut out for us."

The survey found more people could name the three "American Idol" judges than identify three First Amendment rights. They were also more likely to remember popular advertising slogans.

It also showed that people misidentified First Amendment rights. About one in five people thought the right to own a pet was protected, and 38 percent said they believed the right against self-incrimination contained in the Fifth Amendment was a First Amendment right, the survey found.

The telephone survey of 1,000 adults was conducted Jan. 20-22 by the research firm Synovate and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Date: 2006-03-01 07:07 pm (UTC)
deborak: (tread)
From: [personal profile] deborak
Why is this even surprising? The Constitution isn't on TV 24/7.

If there was a show called Desperate Revolutionaries filled with half naked beefcake models, I guarantee the awareness of the Bill of Rights would ratchet up.

Date: 2006-03-01 07:12 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] thewayne.livejournal.com
Now that would be good! If we can get Mel Gibson to produce it, can we have him flogged every other episode?

Date: 2006-03-01 07:19 pm (UTC)
deborak: (another pirate girl)
From: [personal profile] deborak
Gratuitous flogging? You must be confusing the American Colonies with the British Navy. It's tar and feathers for Euro-weenies if Mel's producing.

Amendments-

Date: 2006-03-01 10:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] theresa-wolf.livejournal.com
Um...

What about 'Keep and Bear Arms?'
---
ryxc: Yes, crazy, that Shuriken thing...

I've received rave reviews on the gunsnet.net AK forum with that aricle. :-)

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