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(CNN) - This past week, my inbox blew up with e-mails asking whether Donald Sterling's First Amendment rights were violated in the uproar over the Los Angeles Clippers owner's racist remarks about black people. After all, he was simply expressing his views, however unpopular.

While he did have some rights violated, his First Amendment rights remain intact.

The First Amendment protects you from the government punishing you because of your speech. The NBA is a private club, and it can discipline Sterling all it wants.

What about the chorus of criticism? Are we all violating his First Amendment rights by criticizing him? We are punishing him for his speech.

Nope. The First Amendment does not insulate you from criticism. In fact, that's the First Amendment in action. That is how the marketplace of ideas works. We float our ideas in the marketplace, and we see which idea sells.

Most everyone would agree that Sterling's ideas fail in the marketplace of ideas. Nevertheless, I reluctantly stand on Sterling's side today. What happened to him may have been illegal and was morally wrong.

Start with illegal. In California, you can't record a conversation without the knowledge or consent of both parties. The recording featuring Sterling and V. Stiviano may be the result of a crime. Once she gathered this information, someone leaked it (she denies it was her) -- and it went viral. This is where I think things went morally wrong.

We all say things in private that we might not say in public. Sometimes we have ideas that are not fully developed -- we try them out with our closest friends. Consider it our test-marketplace of ideas. As our ideas develop, we consider whether to make them public. Should we not all have the freedom to make that choice on our own?

The Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy made his own stupid and bigoted statements, and he's been nationally pilloried, too -- but he chose to make those statements to the world. He deserves every ounce of obloquy heaped upon him.

But does Sterling? Think about what his public character execution means. It means that we now live in a world where if you have any views that are unpopular, you now not only need to fear saying them in public, but you need to fear saying them at all -- even to your intimate friends. They might be recording you, and then that recording may be spread across the Internet for everyone to hear.

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What happened to Sterling was morally wrong

In what amounts to a declaration of war on the Roberts Supreme Court, Senate Democrats said Wednesday that they will force a vote this year on a constitutional amendment to overturn several landmark First Amendment campaign finance rulings and give Congress explicit powers to set donation and spending limits for all federal campaigns.

Sen. Charles E. Schumer, the New York Democrat driving the effort, said the justices have taken the First Amendment too far and need to be reeled in by Congress.

SEE ALSO: Ex-Justice Stevens backs amendment on campaign funds

He said he had the blessing of fellow Democratic leaders to bring the amendment to the floor for a vote rather soon. They acknowledged that they have little hope of succeeding but said the vote was a way to send a message to the justices.

The First Amendment is not absolute, Mr. Schumer said. The only way that we can save American democracy, so that people still believe its one person, one vote and theres a semblance of fairness, is a constitutional amendment.

The move kicks off a fundamental debate over free speech, the limits of congressional powers and the nature of political campaigns.

Opponents said they were shocked that Democrats would attempt to amend the Constitution to limit something that the Supreme Court has called a fundamental right and that the move was another way to try to insulate lawmakers from having to hear from voters.

Campaign finance reform restrictions are always pitched as Lets prevent corruption, lets hold politicians accountable, and they do exactly the opposite, said Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Republican. Every single restriction this body puts in place is designed to do one thing protect incumbent politicians.

Campaign finance has been a touchy issue for decades but has taken on a more pointed tone in recent years.

In his 2010 State of the Union address, President Obama scolded the justices, sitting directly in front of him in the House chamber, for their Citizens United decision issued just days earlier.

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Senate Dems vow vote to change Constitution, block campaign funding

First Amendment Only Protects Christians, Says Bryan Fischer
"Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association said Tuesday that the founding fathers intended the First Amendment to only protect Christianity, not ...

By: Feth Stimac

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First Amendment Only Protects Christians, Says Bryan Fischer - Video

Doc Rivers: Silver Decision Was Right One

Clippers coach Doc Rivers spoke to the media before Game 5 of LAs first round series against the Warriors. Rivers shared his thoughts on NBA commissioner Adam Silvers decision to ban Clippers owner Donald Sterling from the league for life and the effort to force Sterling to sell the team.

Clippers coach Doc Rivers spoke to the media before Game 5 of LAs first round series against the Warriors. Rivers shared his thoughts on NBA commissioner Adam Silvers decision to ban Clippers owner Donald Sterling from the league for life and the effort to force Sterling to sell the team.

Search crews have found a father and his two children who had been missing for more than two days in the vast woods and swamps of the Congaree National Park in South Carolina, officials said Tuesday.

John Lackey followed his last outing against the Yankeesa gem which manager John Farrell called arguably the right-handers best showing in a Red Sox uniform with another impressive showing Tuesday night, as the Red Sox beat the Rays 7-4 at Fenway Park. Lackey went eight innings, giving up two runs on six hits and a with five strikeouts. He earned the win, improving to 4-2, lowering his ERA from 4.22 to 3.83.

The moment Bruins and Canadiens fans have been waiting for has finally arrived, as the NHL officially announced on Tuesday the date of Game 1 of their series.

The moment Bruins and Canadiens fans have been waiting for has finally arrived, as the NHL officially announced on Tuesday evening the date of Game 1 of their second round series.

An Oklahoma inmate whose execution was halted Tuesday because the delivery of a new drug combination was botched died of a heart attack, the head of the state Department of Corrections said.

Move over Samsung, there's a new endorsement for David Ortiz in town. Ortiz announced on Tuesday that he has signed on to be the spokesperson for Dunkin' Donuts.

An explosion and fire possibly caused by a dust buildup at a Southern California metal-polishing shop injured 11 people Tuesday, including two men who were critically burned, fire officials said.

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Were Sterlings First Amendment Rights Violated? Nope.

PBL in Journalism I, 2014
Watch and listen to journalism I students, under the supervision of adviser Sue Skalicky, pursue a project regarding first amendment right. It #39;s about more than the grade -- it #39;s about making...

By: Mary Palmer

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PBL in Journalism I, 2014 - Video