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'Impeach Bush' Sign = Littering?
Kevin Egler is a teacher in Kent, Ohio.
To say the least, he is displeased with George W. Bush and the President's performance in office.
So much so that Egler has placed more than 400 "Impeach Bush" signs around town, often on public property.
On July 25, he got a ticket for placing one of them in a public garden.
He was cited for "unlawful advertising."
Egler asked the police officer why he didn't have a right to place his sign there, but realtors can place their "For Sale" signs on public medians any time they want, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported.
According to Egler, the officer said, "You don't know the difference?"
The officer didn't answer his own question.
But as Egler's attorney, Bob Fitrakis, points out, the answer seems obvious: Commercial speech is permitted; political speech is verboten, even though political speech is the most protected kind of speech under our Constitution.
This is discrimination on the basis of the content of speech, which is supposed to be against the law.
Egler had a court date on August 9, and he brought with him "two dozen photos of other posters that appear to have gone unchallenged by the city, including announcements of poker tournaments, garage sales, and military recruiting drives," the Plain Dealer reported.
In court, the city of Kent moved to dismiss the "unlawful advertising" charge against Egler.
But it didn't give up on its prosecution of Egler.
"I was offered a deal by the city today: Plead guilty to disorderly conduct and pay a $25 fine, or else they would file a littering charge against me," Egler reported back to friends via e-mail. "I feel I'm not guilty of anything so we took the 'or else part' of the deal."
Now instead of facing a $100 fine, Egler could have to fork over $500.
Egler appreciated the fact that fifteen free-speech and pro-impeachment activists showed up to support him.
"I had to chuckle to myself when we all filed out of the courtroom," he wrote. "The place was pretty empty after we all left."
Matthew Rothschild is the editor of The Progressive magazine.
© 2007 The Progressive
9 Comments so far
Show AllAs far as I know -- maybe this changed when I wasn't looking-- all police officers took an oath to protect & defend the constitution of the United States, their particulat state constitutuion and to enforce the laws of the community of their specific jurisdiction.
Seems like a lot of cops have their fingers crossed when they're sworn in.
I thinik it would be appropriate to publish the name, badge number, photo, address and phone number of law enforement officers who model themselves after nazi thugs instead of public servants, and politely encourage them to find another line of work.
Why is this disgrace-to-the-badge still on the job??
sj
www.spartacusjones.com
And as we protect this god-fearing pristine paradise called Amerika from dangerous elements like Egler, Iraq is littered with the dead and the dying citizens of that country and the broken, charred remains of their civilization.
I am so proud to live in ahiya. Shee-it.
that's what u get when you are oppressed by the likes of Al Qaeda, oops, i meant the Bush administration.
The Cheney/Bush Crime family has struck again. If they can't understand that treaties are the highest law of the land, how can you expect them to honor our Constitution?
There was a story on the Progressive site about a guy that was detained by the SS because he told Cheney that he did not like his policies in Iraq. He did not yell or scream, he just told him what he thought.
Every one of these anecdotal stories reveal another loyalbushie Democracy-hater who sees his future turning against him. Boo. Hoo. Soon, oh my God, hippies'll be dancing in the daggone streets - the ones the dern terriers ain't blowed up yet, by golly. Speakin' freely is downright un-American during wartime, especially when der ain't no actual war goin' on nowhere. What the hell's that? A "Dick Sucks" T-shirt!!? Get em, boys!
Such is the American way Mr. Egler and I wish you well. One more example on how the right of Freedom of Speech in the USA is conditional and is therefore a privilege. Why is it ok to wear FDNY and Old Glory T-shirts but not ok to have "Impeach Bush?" These are merely words - none is even hate speech! Why is it ok to have billboards pertain to military recruitment and twisted versions of God, but not ok to have billboards supporting Socialism. You should try that Mr. Egler, whether you may or may not be a Socialist, to create a pro-Socialist sign just to see what reactions may happen. Those who create billboards that look something like this:
___________________________________________________
- God
should have one in the USA that says:
Americans must respect Iraqis not kill them.
- God
However, treating the citizens of Iraq with care and respect is too much work and inconvenient for the typical American. Much easier for Americans to view an Iraqi life as insignificant. Pity...
Our society has two ways of dealing with thugs. Some get a number on an orange jumpsuit and some get a number on a badge.
does anyone know the status of the littering case. is it going to trial