CIU Today Summer 2016

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Reflections on The First Amendment
For a fleeting moment it was like old times again.
I had before me a political figure that had dropped out of the race for President of the United
States. Former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who was in South Carolina endorsing Sen. Marco
Rubio for president, had just spoken to a CIU assembly during the same week South Carolina
was to hold the First in the South Republican Presidential Primary.
After the assembly, I was invited to a private luncheon being held for Jindal. He had no prepared
remarks but instead fielded questions from the guests that included CIU faculty, staff and
supporters.
Always the Journalist
As many of you know, I was the news director of
CIU’s former radio station WMHK for over 12 years.
I used to love going to news conferences. So
when Gov. Jindal asked at the luncheon if we had
questions, the adrenaline began to rush just like in
the old days. My hand was the first to be raised.
“Would you consider being Senator Rubio’s running
mate?”
It really didn’t matter to me what his answer would
be. I was just enjoying the moment. For the record,
he said that he had had enough of public life for
a while and his wife told him it was his turn to take
the kids to soccer practice (something I guess a
governor just doesn’t have a lot of time to do)!
A Shared Experience
This experience not only reminds me of my days in broadcast journalism, but also of something
even more fundamental to the experience: The First Amendment to the United States
Constitution.
Consider that at this moment, you are I are enjoying the benefits of The First Amendment. I
was able to ask Gov. Jindal the question and write down what he said and tell you about it. You,
by reading this magazine published by a biblical university, are enjoying Freedom of Religion,
Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press. The First Amendment reads:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the
people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
In a world history full of tyrants, dictators, and potentates, these words are quite exceptional.
Let’s hold these freedoms dear and use them to God’s glory.
Bob Holmes
CIU Today
Editor-in-Chief
THE FIRST WORD
Bob Holmes, Editor-in-Chief
Letters to the Editor are welcome.
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Columbia, SC 29203
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Gov. Bobby Jindal meets with CIU
leadership and guests at a luncheon
following his address to a CIU student
assembly.
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THE FIRST WORD
CIU Today Summer 2016