Reader is unhappy with public safety
Dear Editor:
I attended a Maryville Council meeting regarding the Prayer Chain for Life and “free speech zones.” Apparently they feel that signs such as “Adoption, the Loving Option” cause car pileups on our highway. However, along our roads are signs telling us the price of fish at markets; who’s at the Clayton Center; storefront advertising; Fall Festival info; local car washes, etc. Maybe the council should ban “all” signs on our streets, and noise, too. Horns and sirens might panic a driver. They think they have to save us from ourselves; after all we’re too stupid to quickly read a sign and still control our vehicle.
But this isn’t about the freedom to hold a sign, “Abortion Kills Children,” or a protest sign at an intersection saying, “No More Taxes.” It’s about taking our free speech. The city has decided that, as big brother, they have the right to restrict our constitutiona1 rights.
The TSA “keeps us safe” before we fly and now our council, after a Homeland Security-based study of our roads, has found a way to seal our lips using the excuse of “public safety.”
Instead of upholding their oath of office to support the Constitution, elected officials believe the title of mayor or councilman grants them the omnipotent power to set aside the God-given rights of the American citizen. The First Amendment says we have freedom of speech, it does not say “only in certain areas approved by self-appointed ‘czars.’”
Although the constituent at the podium was speaking respectfully, explaining the rights of people to assemble on public-owned sidewalks, the city mayor slammed his gavel screaming “Don’t interrupt me!”
There are a few morally honest, God-fearing people who hold public office, but in most cases, titles seem to cause individuals to sell their soul and become power hungry. I thought this was America; it resembles Red China.
Joe King
3311 Laws Chapel Road
Maryville, TN 37803
