John Whitehead Challenges MSNBCs Keith Olbermann to Stand Up for Free Speech

In this weeks vodcast, John W. Whitehead accepts Keith Olbermanns dubious Worst Person in the World gold award for his staunch defense of political protesters and chides the MSNBC talk show host for failing to stand up for free speech.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Keith Olbermann
• Countdown with Keith Olbermann
• John Whitehead
• Free Speech
• Protest
• Worst Person

[101orson101]

I'm sorry. But I was unaware that the first amendment had a subsection that REQUIRES anyone to be REQUIRED to stand or be in ANY particular place when anyone else is exercising their free speech options. So now he wants to make it my obligation by law to make myself available to anyone who chooses to yell at me. How's this John? SPEAK TO THE HAND! And I don't mean mine. NOTHING in the first requires anyone to stand before their protestors. Nor their right to protest! But not in my back yard.

[RutherfordInstitute]

@101orson101 Just to clarify, John Whitehead never suggested Perriello was violating any laws. Rather, Whitehead, in a letter that can be found on The Rutherford Institute website, encouraged Perriello to relocate his office, after his lease expires, to a place where public petitioning and demonstrations would not conflict with private property interests. Whitehead fully supports privacy rights and has only suggested that Periello, a public servant, make himself more accessible to the people.

[101orson101]

Understood! Agreed! But non the less the point I made was just as relevent. As far as accessable. Are you telling me they could not make an appointment to visit and talk with him? If so? Hmmm? BUT! I still stand on what I said. Where are any protestors guaranteed access to those they choose to protest? You say it would be nice. I say not, if it violates HIS personal rights. IF HE chooses that? Fine. But no force or obuscating the rule of law. No demanding HE must stand still for them, anywhere.

[RutherfordInstitute]

@101orson101 Though subject to interpretation, the First Amendment guarantees "the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." As you note, it does not guarantee access. Whitehead's letter to Periello merely reminded the congressman that political demonstrations are an important part of democracy, and that Periello—should he relocate—would alleviate any conflict between these activities and privacy laws. Thanks for your comments!

[BryceVandergriftMOM]

I NEED YOUR HELP. WE HAVE SO MUCH INFO AND MATERIALS TO SHARE.

BRYCE VANDERGRIFTS MOTHER

D M M PELLETIER

[texaca]

@Chuichupachichi  try getting any public official to admit to that one, "They're our employees",... Try that down at the municipal court, or with your Local-Tax Collector (ie: Police Office), most have No Concept of that, in-fact they are trained to think that we are the servants of the system.. Because most of the them are idiots, thats why they are in government.

[artwdog]

I love Keith O, you...not so much.

[TheJcp1234]

Hey Olbermann! How are your ratings! Ha Ha!

[Gizziiusa]

Its common knowledge, and common sense that he is a public servant of his constituants and shouldnt evade them in some nook-n-cranny.

[101orson101]

Then Mr Whitehead says free speech is null and void if you can't confront your target up front and personal. Hmmm? Don't seem to be stopping anyone here om U tune. Didn't stop the million man march. Didn't stop the 2 million man march. Never stopped any congressman or senator I ever saw complaining. never stops Obama finding fault with repubs. Doesn't stop the 911 tin foilers. Certainly don't stop Glen Beck. Or for that matter my noisey neighbors with their fralking hiphop. Parsimonius piss!

[101orson101]

Oh? By the way. I love the tea baggers. Hate big government. Especially hate Obamacare. And in general hate all assholes that overstep their rights. thinking they are more important, or pertinent than others. Like the guys that yell out,"I'm your boss!" While being arrested for the inability to follow the law, or breaking it on purpose, or trying to use it against other people while flagrently violating it themseloves. While all the time huffing and puffing," I own the moral high ground!" BS!

[101orson101]

@Chuichupachichi Wrong again amigo. WE the people does not make us dictators any more than it does the congressman. And if WE the peoploe are gona be pisy people. Then piss on all of us for being stupid spoiled children, and some of the shittiest bosses in history. Go cry in the corner. I divorce you as an amigo. And if you were one of the protestors? It is all as clear as crystal why the problems. You a piss poor boss! Exactly what I'd tell any boss acting like you.Bosses are not dictators!

[101orson101]

@Chuichupachichi You know what I didn't hear in that report. That the people were denied access to the offices. What I did hear was that they were not allowed to DEMONSTRATE outside the neignbors business.Presuming ? When did the constitution say I had to presume anything? You are completely fralked up about similies. Maybe someone needs to explain them to you. Show me that the congressman refused to see any of them in his office. Or that he refused to listen to any of them amigo.

[Chuichupachichi]

be shielded from having to face your employer/boss & what he has to say to you?

There's a reason why the US Constitution identifies us as "we the people". It's because "we the people" are supposed to be the sovereigns of this nation. There's a reason why elected & all public officials are paid their salaries with our tax dollars

They're our employees & we're the "Boss". That means they're not supposed to be able to hide in the cafeteria or bathroom every time we have something to say to them