No
matter what political or social belief you cling to, one thing for sure, we
live in a country that gives its citizens special rights and privileges. We are
fortunate enough in this nation that we can listen to liberal talkers like
Norman Goldman, Ed Shultz, or Randi Rhodes, if one is so inclined to, or we are
lucky enough to have the option to listen to great Conservative minds like Rush
Limbaugh, Lars Larson, or Bill Post. The beautiful thing about all these
choices is, weather you are a liberal progressive or a Tea Party Conservative,
we all have a choice of people we can listen to and we all have the right to
voice our opinions no matter how patriotic or terrible it sounds. This comes
from the 1st Amendment.
The First Amendment says, that
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of a religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or
the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition
the government for a redress of grievances. This means any U.S. citizen can go
anywhere in a public area and say nearly anything they wish, (within reason),
and the 1st Amendment will protect their rights. These rights were
tested or threatened this weekend by two different groups with very different
views, but on the same side of the law.
Last Saturday evening the group, Overpasses
for Obama's Impeachment, Oregon Chapter, took to the Hwy 20 overpass at
interstate 5 in Albany. They had American flags, signs, and banners expressing
their dislike for the way the Federal Government is being run by Obama and
calling for the impeachment of President Obama. The local traffic was very
supportive of the protest; however, the I-5 traffic wasn’t as nice. The group
did get many thumbs-up and horns from the freeway, but several gave thumbs-down
or the infamous single-digit salute.
It’s true that not everyone wants to
see Obama impeached, however, exercising one’s rights of free speech is clearly
American and Americans do it with pride. We see this with the anti-war protests
of the 60’s, the protests during the time of the Bush presidency and with the
more recent occupy movement. We as Americans seem to have no problem letting
others know how we feel about our problems and the problems of the world.
Unfortunately, our cherished freedom
of speech can also be used for hate and evil sounding words. Amazingly enough,
one thing that both conservatives and liberals in this county have in common is
the dislike of the group who call themselves the Westborough Baptist Church. I
don’t know of any Christian group, Baptist or not, who agree with them, but
they do hold the attention of the nation with their protests and their
disgustingly infamous signs, like “Thank God for dead soldiers”, and “God hates
fags”. Last Sunday this hate group put their sights on Corvallis and the
funeral of one of our local fallen heroes, U.S. Army Ranger Spc. Cody
Patterson, and the community returned the favor.
News of the protest of the WBC
brought out the Oath Keepers, Patriot Guard Riders, and several Christian and
non- affiliated Christian biker clubs from all over the area,( nearly all of
which were veterans) to help protect the remains of Spc Patterson from whatever
the WBC might try. Between 200 and 300 bikers, guards and supporters lined the
street into the back of the LaSells Steward Center on the OSU campus to protect
the remains from anyone who may try to dishonor the fallen hero. The support,
however, didn't stop there. Throughout the afternoon the bikers and well-wishers
continued to pour in. According to www.katu.com more than 2500 people were there
to help or just show support.
The Westborough Baptist Church is,
according to many, a vile and hateful group who should not be allowed to
protest the way they do. I do not endorse the group by any means, however, as
an American and a U.S. Army vet, I am sad to say I support their 1st
Amendment right to free speech. After all, if they lose their right to free
speech who would be next to loose theirs? We must exercise our rights
carefully. After all, the 1st Amendment is a two-edged sword and
someone could get hurt.
dkhummel.blogspot.com, dkhummel.com
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