I've avoided this topic as long as I can. Here at Ogre's Politics and Views, I am primary concerned with freedom. All actions of government should be weighed against one idea: does it increase or decrease freedom? That's the idea that created this country -- and it's nearly gone.

In this case, as I'm sure you've heard, a simple IMMIGRANT in Philly put up a sign. That sign "offended" some people. So now the city wants to put the man in jail. Seriously, this man may go to JAIL for offending people.

Oh, they're claiming that's not the case, but when a city agency (Commission on Human Relations) uses the power and force of government to file a complaint that is specifically to bring "sanctions" against the business owner, that is the end result. If the owner refuses, the only alternative government has is to jail the man. So the city is now the final judge on what is offensive and what is not -- and if you disobey them, you WILL be shut up.

The entire city should be literally up in arms over this. The government is clearly defining what individual speech they will allow on private property. I bet if I drove through the city with my windows down and, talking to the passenger in my car, said, "That guy over there is a moron," that I'd be fined or jailed myself.

And this one just illustrates how FAR out of touch with reality that the ACLU is -- the ACLU, when faced with an opportunity to actually defend freedom of speech says that in this case they side with the city -- because the city has a law. Seriously -- the ACLU won't defend this because the city made a law that says you're not allowed to offend anyone who is protected by the city, regardless of their actions.

Even worse, many on the council I'm sure are well aware that what they are doing is very clearly and obviously unconstitutional. The first amendment specifically protects people from the government in these exact situations. But they don't care. They're using the power of government to shut this man down. They know that he's a man of limited funds, while the government has literally unlimited funds to bury this man in the courts for decades. Bullies like that need to be taken care of.

The a-holes on the city council need to be taken to the woodshed. This is supposed to be America. I should be allowed to offend as many people as I WANT to. And government should have NO right to stop me, ever. Oh, how I YEARN for freedom.

Posted by: Ogre at 01:11 PM | Comments (15) | Add Comment
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1 I love Geno's! Love them. Their steaks can't be beat. After 911 he changed his fries to Freedom Fries. He is proud to be an immigrant who became a citizen and made good on America's promises. He donated all kinds of time and money after 911 and now? because he wants his customers to speak English while ordering (how hard is that?) "I wanna steak-wit!" he is getting the short-end. I understand, from my friends in Philly, that the sign has been up for quite some time, and only now are people complaining! I can't wait to get back to Philly in a few weeks so I can give him some of my hard-earned money! I sure could go for a cheese-steak wit mushrooms and sauwce (I don't like fried onions)! Oh, and what ever happened with being free to refuse service to anyone? Hey, when are you headed my way?

Posted by: oddybobo at June 15, 2006 03:27 PM (6Gm0j)

2 I think I'll be around there about July 8th or so, I'm not exactly sure on the date yet. I think I want to see if I can find Geno's, even though I HATE onions on my cheese steak...maybe we should meet at Genos!

Posted by: Ogre at June 15, 2006 04:28 PM (/k+l4)

3 You can offend anyone you want Ogre as long as they are not a minority of any kind.

Posted by: Tomslick at June 15, 2006 04:33 PM (RpnNu)

4 I speak English in America. Am I a minority yet? If not, I will be soon.

Posted by: Ogre at June 15, 2006 04:35 PM (/k+l4)

5 I thought you were headed through Western PA then. Philly's in the other direction!

Posted by: oddybobo at June 15, 2006 07:37 PM (6Gm0j)

6 What am I, a Geography major? I fergot that.

Posted by: Ogre at June 15, 2006 07:38 PM (/k+l4)

7 Sadly, no good steak sandwiches this side of the state Did I offend you? perhaps I should be sanctioned . . . I hadn't realized you were geography impaired . . .

Posted by: oddybobo at June 15, 2006 09:11 PM (6Gm0j)

8 Are you making fun of me? The Geographically impaired are a protected class, you know. I could have you put in jail for that crack...if I lived in Philly.

Posted by: Ogre at June 15, 2006 09:21 PM (acZAM)

9 Well Ogre...soon enough we English speaking folk will be a minority so...we can raise heck and make demands and sue the heck out of anyone WE want!!

Posted by: Raven at June 15, 2006 09:42 PM (c/aOr)

10 Hey, that was offensive Raven. Give me cash now to alleviate my suffering.

Posted by: Ogre at June 16, 2006 01:29 PM (/k+l4)

11 If you are passing through western Pa, I can eleviate your suffering with malt beverages.

Posted by: Tomslick at June 16, 2006 03:52 PM (RpnNu)

12 Now we're talking!

Posted by: Ogre at June 16, 2006 08:03 PM (acZAM)

13 I'm up for a few and there's whiskey in the jar'o

Posted by: Tomslick at June 19, 2006 07:33 PM (RpnNu)

14 I'll drop you a line when the plans solidify.

Posted by: Ogre at June 19, 2006 10:25 PM (acZAM)

15 I have lived in both Pittsburgh & Philly. One of the best steak sandwiches I ever had, I eat in Pittsburgh. There are some good eating there.

Posted by: Burt at June 19, 2006 11:04 PM (Fib7o)

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