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The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America reads as follows. “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”. If you read closely you will notice the fact that only the United States Congress is mentioned. The First Amendment in no way gives any rights to or takes any rights from individual citizens.
There are many examples of individuals being punished by our Federal Government for speaking their minds. This is especially true in times of war and national crisis. As Americans, we feel that we should join together when faced with a national crisis, such as the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center, and we do. I believe that Americans did feel united and outraged by these attacks on our country, against our people, and government. But it is in our response to these attacks that our differences in opinion challenge our right and belief in freedom of expression.