Posted on 06/02/2010 12:01:39 PM PDT by John Semmens
KrisAnne Hall, an assistant state attorney for the Live Oak-based Third Judicial Circuit, was fired from her job for daring to speak out against government excesses during so-called “Tea Party” rallies held in Suwannee County, Florida.
State Attorney Skip Jarvis explained, “a person can’t serve two masters. These Tea Party people are against those of us who are in the government. I gave Ms. Hall the chance to choose which side she was on. She chose unwisely. I had to terminate her employment.”
Jarvis rejected Hall’s argument that her participation in Tea Party activities was the exercise of “protected free speech” on her own time. “It’s not an issue of so-called ‘free speech’ or even ‘free time,’ for that matter,” Jarvis contended. “She was agreeing with and supporting people who are expressing a desire for less government and smaller budgets. No government employee has the right to say such things even on their own time.”
Jarvis also hastened to add that “this firing won’t result in any budgetary savings. I won’t give these enemies of the state the slightest satisfaction. Ms. Hall’s position will be filled by someone who understands where his loyalties must lie if he expects to be on the public payroll.”
“Shad Olson of TV station KOTA says he spoke at the rally — and at previous Tea Party events — because Americans have “a flabby understanding of the history of the founding of our country.”
The Journal quotes Olson:
“I want people to fall back in love with their country based on what the founding principles are and the legacy left by the people who fought and bled and died to establish America on this continent.”
KOTA news director John Petersen suspended Olson for a “lapse in ethics.” The Journal quotes Peterson: “A journalist should not participate. A journalist should report the news, not make the news.”
they suspended him, and then he never returned! I was surprised I never saw an article on FR regarding the story. Are we low on SD FReepers?
A journalist SHOULD NOT participate. They’re supposed to be the moderators of the argument. Now, a commentator or talking head might be different, but a guy reporting the facts should not BE the facts.
They used to. Reagan did it as elected Governor.
My House member usually does, too (Rohrabacher).
Even in his off time?
Skip would be crappin his chickletts if he said that to me
How can a journalist be considered to be impartial if he’s participating in stories he may have to cover, or will cover?
...“a person can’t serve two masters. These Tea Party people are against those of us who are in the government.”
.
Does this mean that military personnel will be prohibited from attending “Tea Parties”?
If this is really true the person who made those remarks about free speech in the same breath as “enemies of the state,” needs his head examined and his butt kicked. This is exactly the attitude from government that we are protesting. Get real government jerk.
Well, that lawsuit will cost the government a ton of money.
...consider yourself highly commended, sir!
Cheers!
This is a clear violation of her First Amendment rights. If this stands government employees can be fired for attending a church their boss disapproves of.
Here’s more on this outrage.
State Attorney Skip Jarvis explained, “a person can’t serve two masters
How convinent for the state to use religion when it helps their case but scream seperation when Christians wish to express their God given rights
State Attorney Skip Jarvis is a dangerous lunatic.
"this firing won’t result in any budgetary savings. I won’t give these enemies of the state the slightest satisfaction."
Enemies of the State? You gotta be kidding me.
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