Flap erupts over photos of Bush at market stand (RAT demands it come down!)

LancasterOnline.com ^ | 12/03/04 | John M. Spidaliere

[ClearBlueSky]

What thinly disguised sedition is this?
The picture/portrait of the current president has ALWAYS been displayed in government offices, buildings, public places, etc.
Is the President not the President of this city, this public market too? Could Clinton's picture hang? How about Truman, Washington?
Not only would I leave this pic up, I'd put up a bigger one!

[MadAnthony1776]

I did and I pointed out what a jerk he really is.

[af_vet_1981]

The brain reels. The primary reason for the first amendment is to protect POLITICAL speech. If there is anything to belongs in the public square it's a political statement.

Precisely, the lying liberal elite are trying to accomplish what British force of arms could not.

[Stand Watch Listen]

Even if Kerry had won, he’d be asking Stoltzfus to take the photos down, says Polite.

Hmmmm...we'll never know will we?
But I truly IMHO believe that Mr Polite would never request a Kerry take down.

LOl...just occurred to me..the last election was a Kerry take down...

[pgkdan]

Here's a copy of teh email I just sent the idiot. I considered using the polite and courteous approach that I generally advocate but this guy is such a self important and miserable little toad that I decided to hell with it. He doesn't deserve that consideration.

Dear Mr Polite,
I just read an article about your absurd and childish demand that Central Market vendor, David Stoltzfus, remove a picture of President Bush from his stand because it offends you. How stupid are you? Who do you think you are to demand that a free citizen of this country be denied his First Amendment right to honor the President of the United States? I suggest you grow the hell up and start acting like a man. Mr. Stoltzfus is well within his rights and you are amazingly out of line. Hopefully the fine citizens of Lancaster City will see fit to end your career in public office since you have so little regard or respect for the will of and the rights of the people of this great nation!

Very Truly Yours,
Pgkdan

[retiredcpo]

What an ass. Somebody send him the name of the nearest PEST counselor.

[tx_eggman]

Here Nelson's pic:

A link to his lodge:Link to Lodge

His email address: PoliteSr14@aol.com

Nelson is quite an interesting gentleman

[NRA2BFree]

The market is public property and displaying political paraphernalia, no matter what the intent, says Polite, is inappropriate and divisive.

I just bet the RATS had all kinds of political paraphernalia of Kerry in public view during the election. Oh, I forgot. It's OK for RATS to do it. Double standards is the name of their game. They make me sick. This man has the right to exercise his First Amendment RIGHT!!!

[kkalman]

Where can I get a portrait of the Prez and First Lady to
display in my office? I'd like to irritate a bunch of
losers!

[mupcat]

Interesting! I come from the day when pictures of the presidents would be posted in our public schools. Is that no longer done?

[the_devils_advocate_666]

He's a funny little man...

[Steve_Seattle]

I think it's bad business to have political stuff in your place of business, but it's no business of the law to force you to remove it.

[Richard Kimball]

Bump for L8R, when I can come up with an appropriate methodology of publicly eviscerating this jerk.

[sure_fine]

would never have known that being 'polite' meant you had anal blockage

[stylin_geek]

I was doing some research, and it appears ex post facto is supposed to apply to both civil and criminal law. Currently, precedent appears to say it only applies to criminal law, however, that appears to be an extremely flawed decision (Calder vs. Bull) by the Supreme Court.

But, if the law is changed, does his hanging of the photo become a criminal offense or a civil violation?

All that aside, as one poster pointed out, there are also free speech issues involved. Which, is probably the better argument.

[jcb8199]

“There should be rules,’’ says Polite.

Yeah, namely that Conservatives aren't allowed to express political or religious opinions in any place other than a closet.

[woofer2425]

We had some liberal communist at the main post office in Fort Walton Beach Florida who had a picture of Kerry and Edwards shaking hands displayed on the post office wall. You had to look right at the picture when the postal worker opened the customer service door. Now that's really out of line.

[sure_fine]

I will add a asswhoopin to that

[bperiwinkle7]

"E-mail the not-so-polite Councilman Polite:"

dear mr polite,
i read of your contention with the pictures of President Bush at "upper crust" pastry stand, and i would remind you that the first amendment is primarily about protecting political speech.
you deviate from the constitution. you must have been having a silly attack....
in sympathy,

[NittanyLion]

“There should be rules,’’ says Polite.

The Pennsylvania Constitution has a rule:

The free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the invaluable rights of man, and every citizen may freely speak, write and print on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty.