You need to re-visit this period in History, and read the newspapers of the time. This is EXACTLY what the founding fathers were defending. Depicting King George III as an Ass in the newspapers was treated as treason. The Founding Fathers stated unequivatively that we have Freedom of Speech - and there are no "but" statements in that phrase.
Now in cases where physical damage may be done, there are common sense limitations - such as yelling 'Fire' in a crowded theater. But calling a cop, or any elected offical a name - that goes with the job.
How would you feel about paying a fine and going to jail for posting your opinion about Pres. Barak Hussein Obama?
Defamation has been a tort since the founding of the nation. You are just flat out wrong if you assert otherwise. To be exact, defamation law actually pre-dates the Constitution. Read up on the Zenger case (1734.)
Now in cases where physical damage may be done, there are common sense limitations - such as yelling 'Fire' in a crowded theater. But calling a cop, or any elected offical a name - that goes with the job.
You seem to not know what Defamation is. Defamation isn't "calling someone a name." Defamation has working elements.
How would you feel about paying a fine and going to jail for posting your opinion about Pres. Barak Hussein Obama?
Red herring. No one is talking about putting people in jail or fining them. Defamation is a Civil Tort (a private wrong) between the person who is defamed and the person committing the defamation. Further, as I previously stated, one is free to have an opinion or state an opinion about anyone. You seem to have trouble understanding the elements of defamation. Perhaps you should look them up?