FeedJust because what they are saying is stupid, they still have the right to say it
May 27, 2007 in The Wire
I cannot think of a more basic exercise of free speech than to strap on a sandwich board and walking around where a bunch of people are congregating.
PeoriaIllinoisan and C.J. Summers — both good Blogger buddies of mine — take exception to some guy who was walking around the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event with a sign reading, “Who needs rail? Build the trail.”
I disagree with the message too. I think Peoria is being foolish — what else is new — by wanting to rip out a viable railroad spur for a walking trail.
What I also agree with is that this person had every right to promote the message on that board. The Race for the Cure was not hurt in any way, shape or form by that sign or the guy carrying it. C.J. and PI are welcome to feel any way they want out that sign. Likewise, race participants undecided on the rail or trail issue are also free to come to their own conclusions about trail advocates because of this.
But let’s not imply or suggest this person was operating outside his legal rights, or that the Race for the Cure people should take action to see that it doesn’t happen again, or that the even have the right to do so. You stage a fund raising event on city streets and sidewalks, thinks like this will happen.
May 27th, 2007 at 6:16 am
“Who needs rail? build the trail!”
That is actually a good phrase that works against the trail advocates. The very phrase brings attention to the fact that it is a working rail line. People have to stop and ask themselves “why don’t I want rail?” This hurts the trail advocates more than helps. In the past they have tried to pretend that the working rail wasn’t there. They pretend no longer.
May 27th, 2007 at 7:04 am
For the record, I made up that phrase. I don’t know what the sign they were wearing really said, though I’d assume it echos their green signs planted around the city.
I’m also not saying they don’t have the legal right to wear such signs in public. What I am saying is that it was tasteless and tactless.
May 27th, 2007 at 9:05 am
Billy -
What happens if all the corporate sponsors find it easier and cheaper to send all their employees to walk or run in the Race with billboards attached to them instead of donating large sums of money to continue funding the Komen Foundation? Heck, it would be far easier, cheaper, less time consuming, less aggravation than what we currently go through now.
May 27th, 2007 at 10:21 am
The tunnel vision hiker/biker trail folks will stoop to the lowest depths to push their agenda. Wake up Peoria; these folks are political fringe fanatics. Using the race for the cure for their benefit might be legal but it was in horrible taste.
May 27th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
It is amusing how indignant some people get when others have the AUDACITY to exercise their right to free speech.
Please write your representatives now to demand the insertion of the word TASTEFUL into the first amendment….
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of TASTEFUL speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
May 27th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
PeoriaGuy: Please show me where anyone suggested that the trail people be stripped of their constitutional right to free speech. They have a right to free speech, but so do I and so does PeoriaIllinoisan. If I or PI want to say the trail advocates’ actions were tasteless and tactless, we are free to do so. Or is it you who wants to change the first amendment so that any criticism of others’ speech is not allowed?