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 December 15, 1791, and form what’s known as the “Bill of Rights.” These are the foundations of freedom our founding fathers thought to be the most important.
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 County Commissioner so what’s you gonna do about it. Denial of a person’s rights may not seem like such a big deal unless it’s your rights that have been violated. The truth of the matter is that when the rights of one are violated the rights of all are jeopardized.
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 Birmingham who saw no problem with turning the dogs loose on peaceful demonstrators. He had no problem interpreting and enforcing the law, only problem was it was wrong. Many in Birmingham knew it was wrong but they were too fearful to demand it be applied rightly and equally.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was labeled by government officials as the most hated man in America, a troublemaker who was always stirring up trouble wherever he went. Government Officials used real and imagined laws to jail him beat him, do all they could to silence him. They weren't concerned with the truth of his words only that his words were disturbing to their comfort. Even the FBI was involved. Many knew that what was happening was wrong but they remained silent and allowed the wrong to continue. Finally the truth was heard and the wrong was faced up to. His statue was recently unveiled on the Washington Mall.
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 County Commissioners each of you raised your hands and swore this oath, “I do solemnly swear that I will perform with fidelity the duties of the office to which I have been elected, and which I am about to assume. I do solemnly swear to support the constitutions of Tennessee and the United States and to faithfully perform the duties of the office of county commissioner representing the _________ district of _____________________, County, Tennessee. This oath expires when your term of office ends.
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 United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic”.
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.
