The Dog Trainer reports that the Supreme Court has upheld the awful campaign finance reform law. The decision is here.

It is my practice not to criticize court decisions before reading them. However, I am extremely skeptical that I will be persuaded by this one. I explained my views of why the campaign finance law was clearly unconstitutional in this post from September 7. My views have not changed. Also, from media reports, it appears clear that the case of Buckley v. Valeo — which I have read and which was a completely wrong-headed decision — was not overruled by today’s ruling.

When you think of the United States of America, you think of freedom of speech — especially political speech. This law sure seemed to cut deeply into political speech.

More after I read the decision, which I understand is quite long.

UPDATE: The Other Xrlq, cross-blogging at Xrlq, has a nice round-up of blogger reaction to the decision.

UPDATE x2: Captain’s Quarters has some thoughts as well.

UPDATE x3: Eugene Volokh points out that newspapers are corporations, too. In other words, government regulation of the press is a logical extension of the Court’s reasoning.

UPDATE x4: Spoons has an epitaph for free speech: Freedom of Speech: 1791 - 2003. Based on what I know, I don’t think he is exaggerating one bit.