Free speech?
Lawmakers formulate resolution on racism
A former Maine secretary of state is hopeful that his colleagues in the Legislature will pull together to support a resolution denouncing acts of racism and threats.
State Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham, said he and his co-sponsors, Sen. Mike Shaw, D-Standish, and Rep. John Robinson, R-Raymond, will try to get the resolution signed by all 186 state legislators.
The item could be voted on as early as Dec. 3, the first day of the new legislative session.
“It’s simply a way for the Legislature to make a statement about an issue they feel strongly about,” Diamond said Tuesday.
I posed the following via email to Senator Diamond and Representative Robinson:
Dearest Sen. Diamond and Rep. Robinson,
I’m wondering why the sign in Standish does not fall under 1st amendment free speech protection in your opinion. I haven’t seen the sign, so I can only go by what the media has made it out to be. I am concerned because the freedom of speech means those whose speech is objectionable must also be protected.
Obviously there is the “fire in a theater” circumstance, but I don’t see how this qualifies. Perhaps I’m mistaken. I can see how it is “good” politics to take your position, but what is the fundamental principle in your heart about free speech and why this particular case is outside the boundary?