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Free Speech - Consequences

So, an individual, walking with his son, happens upon Dick Cheney, gladhanding and posing for photos in Beaver Creek, Colorado earlier this year. As said individual walks by Cheney, and his small, fawning crowd, he says to Cheney

"I think your policies in Iraq are reprehensible,” or words to that effect,...

Eight simple words, spoken in passing, expressing an opinion contrary to current policies being executed in Iraq, to a man who has taken an oath to defend your right, and my right, to free speech.

Now, do those words, spoken freely, appear, to any reasoning individual, to exhibit any type of threat or harrassment to Dick Cheney? I would say definitely not. But what happens to this individual for freely expressing his opinion, in this country of ours where free speech is supposedly celebrated and protected by that infamous piece of paper. This is what happens.

Ten minutes later, according to Howards’ lawsuit, he and his son were walking back through the same area, when they were approached by Secret Service agent Virgil D. “Gus” Reichle Jr., who asked Howards if he had “assaulted” the vice president. Howards denied doing so, but was nonetheless placed in handcuffs and taken to the Eagle County Jail.

Fortunately, for the arrested individual, at least one individual professional job holder still retained the ability to reason, and any charges which had been attempted to be filed against the offending individual were dismissed.

The above information is taken from the Rocky Mountain News, in a story titled Arrest over Cheney barb triggers lawsuit

Via Andrew Sullivan.

Posted by on 10/04 at 04:50 AM