ConstitutionCowboy said:The First Amendment is not absolute, it is nuanced. It says, "Congress shall make no law ...abridging the freedom of speech...." Note that it does not say, "...abridging speech." This means Congress can not make any laws that would alter the meaning of or limit what you say. It can, however, proscribe punishment for the use foul language or for slander and libel. The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, but does not recognize a right to free speech.
I'm not quite sure I understand the distinction.
What is the difference between "limiting what you say" and "proscribing punishment for the use of [certain words, e.g.] "foul language"?