By Alex Capogna

The recent Key Findings from the Future of the First Amendment do not surprise me. Quite frankly, I don’t think the recent findings surprise anybody. Researchers Ken Dautrich and David Yalof continue to support the thought that our country seems to be screwed up when it comes to any of our individual rights. 

It would be nice if my high school had a Constitution Day, but it does not.  Unfortunately, if we did have a Constitution Day, most parents would probably give in to their children’s wishes and let them take the day off; most of the kids don’t really give a rip.

The First Amendment, the key to our past and future seems to continue to be in jeopardy. Young people have a unique opportunity to take advantage of the rights they have under the First Amendment. Students should realize their opportunity to speak, and have a say in their future, which is ripe for the taking. 

Furthermore, most of the parents out there have no idea what is going on, so why should their kids? Maybe people are afraid to say or write anything--during the mid-1700s a lot of people were afraid to say what they thought about the government in the new world. Some were not afraid; those people are now referred to as the “Fathers of our Country.” In the recent findings, parents and teachers are less supportive of individual free expression. If Ben Franklin was alive today, he would be throwing up all the beer he enjoyed consuming. What ever happened to independent thinking, and encouraging individual thoughts? I wonder what Ben Franklin would think about wire taps?

The study goes on to say students rely on their parents to form their opinions.  While I am not trying to encourage disobedience, I would like to challenge students to research what is going on around their community, their county and the world. How would you feel if the country were to restart the draft? Are you as brave as the people serving in today’s military? Do you care?

The majority of the students I see on a daily basis have strong negative and positive feelings about Iraq and the President, but if they bring this topic up in class or at home, they are looked at like they have no right to weigh in--there is no encouragement to speak, there is no encouragement to be a little different. Students, if you want to be heard, you better speak up. There will always be those that will disagree, but that’s okay too—let’s have a debate and figure out what makes sense. 

Recently, the headlines were filled about the alleged lewd conduct of a U.S. Senator, Nicole, Paris (not the city), and a soldier killed in Iraq.  Do yourself a favor, try to figure out what is most important, and please don’t be afraid to let people know what you think. The First Amendment guarantees our right to read all the news, so let’s try to be responsible and figure out what is really important.

Alex Capogna, who lives Key Largo, Fla., is a 15-year-old student filmmaker. Among his films is “Live Free,” a documentary that took Alex across America to learn more about the First Amendment and what it means to Americans young and old.