I’m all about free speech, so long as you’re not a dumb ass about it. Or classless.
So, you know, if you’re at a 9/11 memorial, don’t try to pass off a brochure and DVD to someone interviewing a person who lost a family member in the attacks 10 years ago on the World Trade Center.
Yeah, that’s what happened this morning. I’m talking to a mother who lost her son, and there’s this guy lurking in the background, trying to get my attention. When I was done with the interview, the guy handed me a DVD (called “Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth”) that insinuates that explosives planted before the planes struck – and not the planes – destroyed the towers.
Anyhoo, county Mayor Tim Burchett is standing there mumbling about the situation (they tried to give him some stuff earlier – he refused). Finally, he walks over to the two and asks them to leave.
Don’t get me wrong, he’s polite about it, but he’s pretty pis, er, upset.
He tells them to he’d appreciate it if they left. He goes on to tell them that his dad served in WW II, that there were a number of other vets there (we were on the lawn of the Deathstar), and “out of respect for the families” they should go.
“I’m going to ask you to leave,” he said.
They talked about how they were on “public land” and threw the free speech card at him.
Burchett nodded his head and said: “Yeah, that’s cool, I understand. I’d appreciate ya’ll getting the hell out of here.”
They did.
Heh.
Fist-bump.
3 comments:
I'm all about free speech, period. These guys were on public land and they do have free speech rights, so they could have declined Burchett's invitation to leave. I would, if I'm ever in such a situation and he does that to me.
OTOH, these guys are total creeps and I'm glad Burchett gave them heck.
sure, i agree with you. i'd laugh.
but, for this post, my point is that it's about decency. tim had been watching them for awhile, but it was when they got precariously close to a family member whose child died that he finally got pushed too far.
I agree when they approach a family member that lost a child, then the Mayor did the right thing.
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