"The debate about the war seems pretty robust and free. Many publications, from the New Yorker to the Nation, feel perfectly comfortable printing anti-American articles and that's fine. That's what the First Amendment is all about"

This quote by Rich Lowry speaks with the importance of the First Amendment in the United States. He is stating that the debate about the war is open and complimentary, and that publications such as the New Yorker and the Nation are enabled to print anti-American posts without fear of censorship. This is a testimony to the power of the First Amendment, which ensures freedom of speech and journalism. It is this flexibility that allows for open and truthful debate about important issues, and it is a cornerstone of democracy. Without the First Amendment, the general public would not have the ability to reveal their viewpoints freely, and the government would be able to reduce dissenting views. The First Amendment is important to an operating democracy, and Rich Lowry's quote is a reminder of its significance.