Giles Free Speech Zone
The purpose of the "Giles Free Speech Zone" is to identify problems of concern to the people of Giles County, to discuss them in a gentlemanly and civil manner, while referring to the facts and giving evidence to back up whatever claims are made, making logical arguments that avoid any use of fallacy, and, hopefully, to come together in agreement, and find a positive solution to the problem at hand. Help make a difference! Email "mcpeters@usit.net" to suggest topics or make private comments.
Contributors
Monday, September 19, 2011
Comments Made At The Legislative Meeting 19 Sept. 2011
This is the text of my comments delivered at the County Legislative Meeting this morning. The five minutes I was allotted ran out before I was able to finish but Mrs. Vanzant graciously allowed me the extra time to recite the poem I had written at the end. I do appreciate that consideration.
"I greatly appreciate this opportunity to address the commission this morning. Please understand that it is not my intention to be overly critical or belittle anyone. We may disagree on the process but I believe each of you are motivated by a desire to do what’s best. I’m no politician with great skills in tact. I’m just an old soldier who spent more time focused on getting the job done than sweet talking hard headed recruits. So please excuse me if I speak too directly for your comfort.
The first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution were ratified
The very first of these important freedoms is “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances”. Five freedoms; Religion; Speech; Press; To Assemble Peaceably; and to Petition Government for a Redress of Grievances, this in the very first Amendment.
The courts have held that the most basic component of freedom of expression, is the right to freedom of speech. The right to freedom of speech allows individuals to express themselves without interference or constraint by the government. The Supreme Court requires the government to provide substantial justification for the interference with the right of free speech where it attempts to regulate the content of that speech.
This amendment has been abused, misused and completely overlooked when convenient. Once this great nation was considered to be a nation of laws, which means that the law was paramount and each citizen could be confident in its equal application. Unfortunately that was and is more myth than reality to many citizens. Just ask a citizen who has been denied their right to address their government even after meeting all the requirements set down by that government. Ask a citizen who is verbally and physically attacked by a government official then told I’m a
Those who selectively apply the law for their benefit see no problem with its enforcement. Many of you should remember Bull Connor the democrat public safety commissioner in
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was labeled by government officials as the most hated man in
You, have established rules that support the 1st Amendment but you also have allowed those rules to be selectively applied. Selective application of the Constitution makes for no Constitution. Recently I met every requirement, followed every rule in order to address this Legislative Body, I was denied and the only reason given, was one of utter contempt for the Constitution, that state law prevented my speaking. No such law was named and no such laws exist. My Constitutional rights to speak and to petition the government were violated and the U.S. Constitution was made null and void without a single objection from this legislative body.
As
Others of this group took a different oath, I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”
This oath has no expiration date, just as once a Marine always a Marine, once taken, this oath remains apart of our lives. Some of you suffered and sacrificed greatly in defense of this oath, some of you lost great friends and family in defense of this oath. But In the ease of our comfort that oath has become less and less important until we hardly blink when that Constitution is violated.
Most people understand, at least in part, that being in the military and defending this nation in a war is a very noble and honorable thing but that oath was to “defend the Constitution of the
We must protect it from those within who seek to destroy its financial and moral strength. We must protect it from those who would corrode and abuse the Constitution that has made this the destination of millions oppressed in their own countries. Blindly defending those who have proven to do wrong is not the act of a patriot but of a coward too lazy to demand right behavior and accountability. Defending a nation on its home front is just as necessary as defending it on a battlefield in some foreign country. In fact it may be easier on the foreign battlefield because most of the time you at least can more easily tell who the enemy is.
"What We Abuse We Lose"
All gave some and some gave all;
And many were never counted,
Their sacrifice was taken for granted.
Then what had been their treasure,
Was lost to mindless pleasure.
For what had been died for
Was no longer worth... standing for.