Stuff My Brain Says #84

"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." - Amendment I, U.S. Constitution

This past weekend marks a sad day in American history. People all over the country got together to "petition the government for a redress of grievances." Primarily, they were protesting the death of George Floyd, who died when in the custody of the Minneapolis police. However, many of those protests shifted from "peaceably" to violent; including destruction of property and looting.

These types of protests need to stop. 

Here are a few considerations:

Every person needs to register prior to attending any protest.
Every person needs to publicly display their name on their clothing during the protest.
No wearing of black clothing and NO hoodies allowed.
Every person will go through a checkpoint prior to attending the protest.
If you fail to comply with the above you will be arrested and removed from the assembly.

Now, let me address the whys:

Many of the reports I read and videos I saw were concerning hooded individuals initiating the violence, destruction of property, and looting (what does the looting of a Target have to do with #BlackLivesMatter I have no idea). In Cleveland, over 60 people were arrested for aggravated rioting, vandalism, disorderly conduct and curfew violations. Some of those individuals were not from Cleveland. If every person is registered, publicly wearing their name, and are not hidden behind dark clothing and hoods, the chances of someone starting a riot are greatly diminished. And the checkpoints will guarantee no one is carrying a weapon or clothing they can use to disguise their identities (you have to go through checkpoints to get into Cleveland Indians games after all).

"But J.P., don't you know that we have a right to protest? It's in the 1st Amendment that you posted at the top of this article."

Read it again. It says you have the right to PEACEABLY assemble. Not riot. Not destroy property. Not bludgeon people with two-by-fours (yes, I saw that video too). PEACEABLY assemble.

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." - Preamble to the U.S. Constitution

As the preamble above shows, the concept of the Constitution, and the Amendments contained therein, are based on the intention of a CIVILIZED SOCIETY. IF you choose to behave uncivilized, you LOSE that right. 

Don't agree? Go commit a felony, go to jail, serve your time, and try to vote. Why can't a felon vote? Because the act of the felony (an uncivilized act) DISQUALIFIES the person from the rights of a citizen in a civilized society. You know, part of the "domestic Tranquility".

When the violence and destruction become the news, the meaning of your protest is no longer the news. So, if you therefore have no desire for your message to be heard, you don't protest.

If you can't act like adults, you should be treated as the unruly children you are.

©Emittravel 2020

Is it Wrong to “Huddle Up”?

Continuing with the thoughts expressed in my last blog, recently the Cleveland Browns got into some hot water for kneeling during the National Anthem prior to the start of a preseason game. (As an aside, they only did that the one game. The most recent game, as of this writing, they all stood.)

There was a lot of social media angst over whether or not these guys were right in their actions. Some say that they were exercising their First Amendment rights and protesting President Trump’s lack of anger over the white supremacists’ and Nazis’ protest in Charlottesville. Others say that guys who make millions of dollars playing a game do not have the right to disrespect the flag.

As far as my opinion goes, my last blog pretty much summed it up. The First Amendment acknowledges your right to PEACEFULLY assemble. What those players were doing was just that.

There is no law stating that you have to stand and respect the flag during the National Anthem. There is no law. However, there IS custom.

First off, you are not standing BECAUSE of the National Anthem. You are standing because of the flag (which in itself is just a piece of cloth - it is what that piece of cloth represents that you are showing respect). Any patriotic song will do. And second, there is no law demanding that you stop and place your hand over your heart when you see the flag. Can you just imagine people stopping EVERY time they saw the flag?

What they did do was make a public protest in a non-violent manner. And THAT is absolutely their right under the First Amendment.

Now, if the NFL or the team's owners want to make an issue of it, they can. After all, the First Amendment only tells us what the government cannot do: “Congress shall make no law . . . “ There is nothing that stops a non-governmental institution from implementing ANY restrictions upon free speech.

And finally, I see nothing wrong with a sport that “takes a knee” at the end of their games taking one at the beginning.

That’s football for you.

© Emittravel 2017