Cougar8045 noted,

His point was, why enact a ban on something we have not empowered the government to do?  The logic was, (which seems to be vindicated by modern-day America) if you say, "Thou shalt not infringe on the freedom of the press", the implication for tyrants would be that the government has the authority to infringe on the freedom of the press.

You're right, but fear of exactly that is found in the much-neglected Preamble to the Bill of Rights:

December 15, 1791
Preamble

Congress OF THE United States
begun and held at the City of New York, on Wednesday
the Fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.

THE Conventions of a number of the States having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution
RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.:

ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.

(Bolding Mine)

Much of the time you Gurgle it, you don't get that part of it... viz:

http://www.patriotprintshoppe.com/BofR.html?gclid=CLav8tLd-K0CFQXCKgodLEDXrg

On the other hand, sometimes you do:

http://www.billofrights.org/

And congratulations to Hawaii and all who were involved in this legislation !



Terry, 230RN