[Vision2020] Say What?

[Tom Hansen]

Exactly, Sunil.

I have a question for Paul . . .

I am within my first amendment rights to loudly claim, within the four
walls of my residence, "Officer Jones is an EFFING racist pig!"  Right?

If Officer Jones is just outside my residence, at the time that I make
this claim, and overhears it, am I suddenly in violation of the law?

If so, why?

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

>
> Paul,
>
> I think you're missing the points I'm trying to make.
>
> I have never said that Crowley shouldn't have investigated.  I have not
> and would not suggest anything as absurd as what you suggest here:
>
> 'See a black and man and back off for fear of being assumed to be a
> racist?'  Of course they should investigate whether or not there was a
> break-in.  But once he knew there was not, it was time to leave and take
> his injured feelings with him.
>
> Look at the police report:
> http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0723092gates1.html
>
> On page 2, second paragraph, Crowley writes that with Gates' ID in his
> hand, he got on his radio.  He never writes that he returned or set down
> the ID, and I'd sure like to know if he had it when he stepped outside.
>
> It's clear from page 2, paragraph 4 that Gates was on his own porch when
> he was arrested; he wasn't on the sidewalk, he wasn't on the street, he
> was on his own damn porch.
>
> Did Gates lose it? Obviously. I'm guessing he was tired after a long
> journey, and pissed that he had to prove he was in his own home.  I don't
> know much about him, but I'm guessing that it wasn't his first dealing
> with an officer, and that race has affected his life in ways that I've
> never experienced. He should have handled things differently, but bad
> manners is not criminal.
>
> Unless we are no longer free people, you get to rant in your home, and on
> your porch.  You get to Paul, I get to, and Gates gets to.
>
> Sunil