Where the 1st Amendment Pisses Me Off....

... is when I see people come out and say outrageous things and give distorted accounts just because they can, and just because they think that their "subjective truth" is in fact the truth.

Two such examples that I read today:

1. McCain says that his son came back from Iraq and reported that he used to "[see] IEDs everywhere", but now, "some seven months later, Iraq had become so safe he was handing out soccer balls."
2. Clemens' lawyer Rusty Hardin saying (it's too good, I gotta quote it in full):

   I can tell you this. If [lead investigator Jeff Novitzky] ever messes with Roger, Roger will eat his lunch.

   and then followed by

   All I meant was -- I think that was intended to show any witnesses that appear, watch out, we're watching you. Better tell the truth as we see it. Not necessarily as you see it.

That's just gold. I am appalled by what they said, but at the same time impressed by the conviction with which they spoke those words.