Gov. Palin's understanding of the First Amendment

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Gov. Palin apparently interprets this to mean that the press ought not criticize her speech:

"If [the media] convince enough voters that that is negative campaigning, for me to call Barack Obama out on his associations," Palin told host Chris Plante, "then I don't know what the future of our country would be in terms of First Amendment rights and our ability to ask questions without fear of attacks by the mainstream media."
[Excerpt from Gov. Palin's interview with radio host Chris Plante, WMAL-AM, posted on Salon.com]

Well, actually, Gov. Palin, the First Amendment protects your right to say whatever you please - without fear of being silenced by the Government... and it also protects the press's right to report what you say and comment on it! - without fear of Government retribution.

Maybe I'm reading too much into Gov. Palin's words, but to me it sounds like she'd really like to muzzle media criticism of Candidates and - by extension - the Government!

Actually, we - the U.S. - tried this once with The Alien and Sedition Acts, back in 1798.

The Sedition Act (officially An Act for the Punishment of Certain Crimes against the United States) made it a crime to publish "false, scandalous, and malicious writing" against the government or its officials. Enacted July 14, 1798, with an expiration date of March 3, 1801.

... Tho' I note that this Act applied only to "the government or its officials"... NOT to candidates for elective office!

Stop the madness!!!