Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page Harry A. Blackmun Quote “By placing discretion in the hands of an official to grant or deny a license, such a statute creates a threat of censorship that by its very existence chills free speech.” ~ Harry A. Blackmun (1908-1999) U. S. Supreme Court JusticeRoe v. Wade, 1973 Censorship , Justice , Licensing Ratings and Comments Reply Capt Phil, Sebastopol, CA 8/26/11 Reply Kimo, USA 8/26/11 1 Reply J Carlton, Calgary 8/26/11 They tend to forget...They work for us! Public Unions are like that.... 1 Reply Mike, Norwalk 8/26/11 Not shooting the messenger, I'm not sure how to rate this or comment on it with stars. The statement is extremely accurate but, the premise is completly unlawful and unconstitutional. All governmental licensing is repugnant and antithetical to a free people. Such censorship does not just chill but, disallows free speech (it only allows politically correct and otherwise acceptable speech) To consider the implementation of either licensing or censorship demonstrates a slave's sick society. I guess its 5 stars for accuracy 1 Reply E Archer, NYC 8/26/11 You only need a license or permit to do what would otherwise be against the law. The corruption of the law into an instrument of control was what the Constitution was supposed to prevent. Licensing helps protect monopolies and corner markets -- it is to prevent competition. In the case of unions, it is a return to the guilded age in which no one can work in their professional field unless they pay someone -- the mafia calls it 'insurance.' How in the world has America gone so far off track as to duplicate every tyrannical practice of monarchy, aristocracy, and oligarchy? We don't need 'licenses' or permits to travel, to work, to eat, to grow food, to get married, to publish a story, or to shoot a film. It is all so that the ruling class keeps its control and profits from the labors of others. 1 Reply J Carlton, Calgary 8/26/11 Well said Mike and Archer. SaveOk2 SaveOk2 View CommentsClick to view or comment. Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print This Harry A. Blackmun quote is found in these categories: Censorship quotes Justice quotes Licensing quotes About Harry A. Blackmun Bio of Harry A. Blackmun Quotations by Harry A. Blackmun Books by/about Harry A. Blackmun Harry A. Blackmun videos Harry A. Blackmun on Wikipedia Astrological chart for Harry A. Blackmun