Implosion planned for Rochester on July 28th

The owners of the St. Ann’s home in Rochester have announced that the main high rise tower in the nursing home complex on Portland Avenue will be demolished by implosion on July 28th. The building, which stands 17 stories tall will fall at around 10 A.M. Officials caution that no public viewing will be allowed from the grounds of the Rochester General Hospital, which is across the street from the structure. Portland Avenue is expected to remain closed from 8:30 AM to 12 noon, although it may be closed longer if problems are encountered during the demolition.

Schumer calls for “limits” to First Amendment rights

Sen. Charles Schumer has said that he believes there should be limits on First Amendment rights. The Senator spoke in support of the Disclose Act, which is legislation that would require organizations running political ads to reveal major sources of funding to the government.

“I believe there ought to be limits because the First Amendment is not absolute. No amendment is absolute,” Schumer said.

“You can’t scream ‘fire’ falsely in a crowded theater. We have libel laws. We have anti-pornography laws. All of those are limits on the First Amendment,” he said. “Well, what could be more important than the wellspring of our democracy? And certain limits on First Amendment rights that if left unfettered, destroy the equality — any semblance of equality in our democracy — of course would be allowed by the Constitution.

“And the new theorists on the Supreme Court who don’t believe that, I’m not sure where their motivation comes from, but they’re just so wrong. They’re just so wrong.”

Democrats have been the main supporters of the proposed law, which would not take effect until next year. Republicans generally oppose the legislation.