| 
|
Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
| Total Views: 4,943,091
|
Article: 19342
[Civil]
Date Posted:
2/3/2008
10:19:20 am EST
Wvox Stats
Views: 9,121
RSS: 18,592
Comments: 11
|
Speak Freely, But Keep Off The Grass
Author: Charles C. Haynes Source: First Amendment Center
Title: SPEAK FREELY, BUT KEEP OFF THE GRASS
The latest plan for domesticating free speech comes, from all places, the National Park Service.
Earlier this month Park Service officials invited public comment on new ideas for managing the National Mall in Washington, D.C., including a proposal for paving over a reflecting pool near the Capitol and converting it into a site for demonstrations and other events.
As every schoolchild learns, the Mall has long been the prime destination for protesters of all stripes and causes exercising their First Amendment right to speak, assemble and petition. Demonstrations on the Mall — everything from the historic March on Washington in 1963 to the anti-abortion rally Jan. 22 — are emblematic of American freedom.
All of that protesting tramples a lot of grass. Hence the proposal to save wear and tear on the Mall by building a nice, clean space to contain the messy demonstrations. Park Service officials say that big protests could still spill across the Mall, but the vast majority of demonstrations could “fit tidily” in the proposed venue.
And there’s the rub. Talk about “tidy” demonstrations raises red flags for free-speech advocates across the political spectrum. Americans don’t march on Washington only to be cordoned off in a neat and tidy space (restrooms and microphones provided). They come to raise their voice, demand change — and, yes, kick up some dust.
| Options: [Read Full Story] [Comments Locked]
[Email to a Friend]
|
|
Community Thoughts: There are 11 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| Supplemental | Feb 5th. at 2:43:51 am EST
|
NOVA (New Brunswick, New Jersey) - Email Me
Please ignore my typos below :-o, and concentrate on the message. Thx
|
| Commentary | Feb 5th. at 2:40:52 am EST
|
NOVA (New Brunswick, New Jersey) - Email Me
This article's closing statements were as follows:
"Demonstrating on the National Mall is not a nuisance to be managed; it is a right to be cherished. The Park Service should worry less about trampled grass — and more about trampling on freedom."
I TOTALLY AGREE !!!
Like the USA, the portorted richest nation in the world, can't afford to maintain a section of lawn is preposterous; a completely ridiculous arguement. * It manages to do so on the White House grounds, oh but not the public grounds?!
This is NOT the reason, it is to limit the protests. THe grass is a gentler, more friendly place for people to gather, they can sit on the ground and still be comfortable. The Park Service needs to be advised that keeping the grass will likelier keep the peace as well, better than a hard, paved surface. It's also a lot more eco-friendly, no run-off or oil-slicks from vehicles driven onto a paved surface, etc.
Since the article says the PS invited public commentary and ideas, I will right them mine, AND YOU SHOULD TOO, Everyone!
Hear, Hear....! (get it?)
|
| I Get It. | Feb 4th. at 1:27:09 pm EST
|
bigcat (peoria, Illinois) - Email Me
If we cordon off people such as Phelps, we also cordon off ourselves. Still, Government buildings are public property, while the sites where Phelps and other Fundies are often more private and they make of themselves a hateful ugly spiteful nuisance.
As long as business is not disrupted then those protesting should be allowed to remain right where they are, but like any who prove to be a hurtful nuisance-they should be removed by law. We still have the right to freely assemble- peaceably-- and state our business publicly, even if it is on the grass.
|
| Does Raise A Few Interesting Points | Feb 4th. at 4:23:07 am EST
|
Moonlight Wolf (Bradford, England) - Email Me
I kind of like the way the First Amendment Centre argues this whole issue of where to protest.
I'm sure many of us would agree that cordoning protestors off into a nice little area is rather off kilter and not the best way to go about things.
However I'm also sure that in some cases we would be glad to see people cordoned off into some far away space. These would include fundamentalists yelling about how evil and sinful the world is and how everyone is going to Hell but them. This would include at Pagan Pride days and at the funerals of gay soldiers.
I'm sure in cases like those we would love to have some distance between the event and the fundamentalists.
|
| >:P | Feb 3rd. at 9:20:25 pm EST
|
Orion 6Xray (Park City, Kentucky) - Email Me - Web
There comes a time when silence becomes complicity.
Adlibed from MLK
and sorry about the typos
Find More info -- HERE
|
| This Story Is | Feb 3rd. at 9:16:28 pm EST
|
Orion 6Xray (Park City, Kentucky) - Email Me - Web
Kinda reflected in the Censor Trolls here at the Witches Voice.
You can't even call out an intolerant person and bring them to the light of the day without the powers that be here throwing the red falg up the red flag and pull your comment. Even if it passes all guidlines.
I guess the should put a sign at the begining that reads:
"Free thought, Ethics. Not on my forum."
Find More info -- HERE
|
| Keeping It Pretty? | Feb 3rd. at 3:08:34 pm EST
|
bigcat (peoria, Illinois) - Email Me
I rather doubt it. I think it's just a way to limit protesting.
|
| Oh, Please... | Feb 3rd. at 2:05:33 pm EST
|
AnnieBW (Laurel, Maryland) - Email Me
I live in the DC area. I go down to the Mall area occasionally during the summer months. People are always playing frisbee, softball, soccer, etc. on the grass on the Mall. Besides that, you have the Folklife festival and fireworks, which cause a A LOT of traffic on the grassy areas. By limiting protests, it's not going to do much to solve the grass problem.
|
| They Want To Keep It Pretty | Feb 3rd. at 1:13:19 pm EST
|
Mysteries Child (Garfield, Arkansas) - Email Me
This isn't really about tucking protesters away out of sight.
On the surface, it's much more innocent than that. And when you get to thinking about it, it's much, much worse.
They (in this case, the Parks Service) want the Mall to *look nice.* Pretty, untrammeled, well-groomed grass and such.
If you don't see what's wrong with that, I shall tell you a story.
My cousin got married in '95. Big ceremony, lots of candles, extended vows, had the groom sing "Everything I Do." Big party at a big hotel. Pretty pictures every Christmas.
It looked pretty.
Fast-forward to 2005.
Said cousin is getting an acrimonious divorce. Screwing around. Fighting over custody. Moving in with her parents.
'Cause the groom got laid off. 'Cause it didn't look pretty any more.
I always think of that story when I see pictures and houses and such-- the material trappings of lives-- that look like magazine cuttings.
That, and the completely dysfunctional guy I dated right out of high school. He demanded that I help him cover up his various mental illnesses and perceived deficiencies, on the grounds that *image is everything.*
Get my drift??
See, whether it's a passing relationship or a marriage or a country, if looking pretty is the most important thing...
...looking pretty, as opposed to working the way it's supposed to, with all the ugly, nasty, greasy mechanics that go with function...
...something's waaaaaaay wrong. And probably not going to get better.
|
Disclaimer: The Witches' Voice inc does not verify the accuracy of the details stated in this listing, nor do we vouch for the value of the goods or services presented here... As with all contacts and financial dealings in cyberspace, we encourage you to use caution and wisdom in your dealings with strangers.
Political Statements: Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren's Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches' Voice, Inc. TWV is a non-profit, non-partisan educational organization.
|
State/Country flags created by 3dflags.com and are used with permission
Web Site Content (including: text - graphics - html - look & feel)
Copyright 1997-2009 The Witches' Voice Inc. All rights reserved
Note: Authors & Artists retain the copyright for their work(s) on this website.
Unauthorized reproduction without prior permission is a violation of copyright laws.
Website structure, evolution and php coding by Fritz Jung on a Macintosh G5.
Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren’s Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches’ Voice, Inc. TWV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.
Sponsorship: Visit the Witches' Voice Sponsor Page for info on how you
can help support this Community Resource. Donations ARE Tax Deductible.
The Witches' Voice carries a 501(c)(3) certificate and a Federal Tax ID.
Mail Us: The Witches' Voice Inc., P.O. Box 341018, Tampa, Florida 33694-1018 U.S.A.
| |
