Constitutional lesson; musical omission; unfair comparison; welfare drug-testing

Constitutional lesson

State Sen. Konni Burton, R-Colleyville, said during a January interview that the same rights that citizens have under the First Amendment to the Constitution should apply to the Second Amendment.

Her essential argument seems to be that since First Amendment rights are unlimited, so should be Second Amendment gun rights.

If that is correct, then Sen. Burton needs to brush up on her constitutional history.

First Amendment rights are not unlimited.

For example, preaching the violent overthrow of the government is not protected free speech, nor is yelling “fire” in a theater.

Religious freedom is limited as well on certain types of activities.

She should also bear in mind that the Second Amendment says “well-regulated” and the First Amendment does not.

Of course, if she still wants to pursue her logic, I think that reasonable gun possession regulations, e.g. licenses and training, would stand constitutional muster.

— Marty Goldsmith, Fort Worth

Musical omission

There was an omission in your coverage of the Grammy Awards in the section on Texas winners.

The Austin-based professional choral group Conspirare, directed by Craig Hella Johnson, was awarded the Best Choral Performance for its recording The Sacred Spirit of Russia.

Conspirare has been a shining star in the classical music pantheon in Texas for 20-some years and had been nominated for a Grammy five times. Craig Hella Johnson was honored as the 2013 Texas State Musician.

This incredible group of singers and their gifted director are a Texas treasure and are most worthy of being congratulated.

— Suzanne Cate, Granbury

Unfair comparison

President Obama, in his recent speech at a National Prayer Breakfast, chastised Christians to “to get off their high horse” before criticizing the Islamic State for its brutality.

The speech came shortly after the Jordanian pilot was shown being burned alive, and while we waited word on the fate of U.S. captive Kayla Mueller.

Obama’s speech was akin to the person, who, after the funeral service for a veteran policeman killed in the line of duty, only nods at the widow and says “your irresponsible late husband owes me $5,000 from 30 years ago.”

President Obama is incapable of speaking truth without poor timing, being sarcastic, condescending or self righteous.

He always hits at least one of those notes.

— Mike Estes, Fort Worth

This story was originally published February 17, 2015 at 6:23 PM with the headline "Constitutional lesson; musical omission; unfair comparison; welfare drug-testing."