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| 1ST AMENDMENT FOR DUMMIES |
| Friday, March 25, 2005 |
| It's amazing how many people think the first amendment protects them from any consequence when they say or do something unpopular. A Colorado town trustee is the latest person in the news to put his ignorance of the Constitution on display.
David Habecker thinks voters violated his 1st Amendment rights when they held a recall election and booted him off the town council because he wouldn't stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
For the record, Habecker is suing his town, Estes Park, Co., in federal court to have the pledge declared unconstitutional. He doesn't like the "G" word.
Habecker, of course, has every right to refuse to say the pledge and even to file his silly lawsuit try to to have it declared unconstitutional. But he doesn't have a right to keep his seat on the town council. Colorado voters have recall elections at their disposal, and they have decided they don't want him representing them any more. They voted 903-605 to give him the boot.
In the United States, the government is not allowed to infringe on your right to speak your mind, but the 1st amendment does not force your neighbors to respect your opinions. They are free to shun you if they wish. They can vote against you for any reason, including the fact that you won't say the pledge of allegiance.
Had the rest of the town council voted to censure Mr. Habecker for his unpopular views, he might have a valid complaint, but it was the voters, not the government, who reacted unfavorably to his position on the pledge.
The 1st Amendment limits the power of the government. It doesn't limit the power of your neighbors of your employer.
If you've got something to say, and you think it must be said, feel free to say it, but understand that your neighbors have rights too, including the right to reject you and everything you stand for. We live in a free country, not a "risk-free" country.
Ralph Bristol |
posted by Jack Mercer @ 3/25/2005 06:22:00 AM   |
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| 4 Comments: |
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It is pretty stupid that the councilman sued the town. But it is also pretty stupid that the citizens of said town decided to hold a special election (an expensive undertaking) to boot the guy for this one issue, which is what I understand from Jack's post. I've said it before and I'll say it again: people are dumb.
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This would have been a great plot for a book or a movie. But in the end, the vote is a form of free speech too, I think. I support his views myself, I don't like "under God" in the pledge either, but if the majority of voters do, then those are the breaks, and that's the risk public officials take when exercising free speech. Which is probably why most of them pander to every crowd to whom they make speeches.
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Shea, free speech is the guarantee from government interference in what we say. It doesn't guarantee that I won't agree or other citizens won't hold you accountable for what you say or what your opinion is. I know a girl here locally whose mouth is quicker than her brain--she is free to say what she will, but I would hardly trust her judgement. Those are issues at hand. Trent Lott had a right to say what he did, but people reacted and removed him. This happens--it has nothing to do with the Constitution.
Kathy, not sure all the details. When someone is that much of a zealot that they refuse to do something so mundane as say "under God" then maybe there are more issues we are unaware of. Of course, the beauty a republic form of government is that if people don't feel you fairly represent their views, ideology, etc., then they can remove you from office. That's democracy and the whole reason you vote. :)
Good to see you again, Kathy!
-Jack
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Name: Jack Mercer
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Miriam Webster defines Snipe as: to aim a carping or snide attack, or: to shoot at exposed individuals (as of an enemy's forces) from a usually concealed point of vantage.
Miriam Webster defines Snippet as: : a small part, piece, or thing; especially : a brief quotable passage.
In short, "Snipets" are brief, snide shots at exposed situations from a concealed vantage point.
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