The Constitution vs The Simpsons

This is sad.

In a recent study by the new McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum Only one in four Americans can name more than one of the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment. But more than half can name at least two members of the cartoon family, the Simpsons, 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 FirstAmendment 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 ofour mission is to clear up these misconceptions," said Madeira, whose museum will be dedicated to helping visitors understand the FirstAmendment 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. Aboutone in five people thought the right to own a pet was protected, and 38 percent said they believed the right against self-incriminationcontained 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 theresearch firm Synovate and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

And people wonder why our country is going to pot.

In Liberty,
Eric H. Smith