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December 22, 2008
Brighton, Michigan Bans Speech That Annoys
Suburban Detroit has discovered a missing clause in the First Amendment. We have a right to free speech — so long as no one is annoyed by it.
The Brighton City Council on Thursday approved an ordinance allowing police in the Livingston County community to ticket and fine anyone who is annoying in public "by word of mouth, sign or motions."
The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus of Howell reports the measure is modeled on a similar ordinance in the Detroit suburb of Royal Oak.
Southeastern Michigan now has a conception of free speech that fits nicely with its prevailing conception of capitalism. As Ed Morrissey comments:
Michigan finds itself in such financial distress that its Congressional contingent has successfully harangued the White House into multi-billion-dollar loans to private enterprise. I find that extremely annoying. Do we get to issue citations to the entire state of Michigan now?
Maybe next the Detroit area will offer a new version of the Second Amendment, by which you can bear arms but only if they don't work.
On a tip from V the K.
Posted by Van Helsing at December 22, 2008 8:04 AM
Comments
If it feels good, do it.
Corollary:
If it feels bad, ban it.
Posted by: Conservigilant at December 22, 2008 8:12 AM
I'm thinking, Code Pink would be a prime candidate for this law to be used against.
Posted by: Dennis at December 22, 2008 8:36 AM
somebody will have it thrown out for vagueness; how do you define annoying? Knuckle crackers and open mouth chewers are annoying to me, slap the cuffs on them!
Posted by: wehrmeister at December 22, 2008 8:41 AM
What is wrong with some of these city councils? They rule with an iron fist and feel themselves above the constitution. NYC and San Fransicko are two others. Who died and made them king? That's why I like living in a small town (size of Mayberry). You'll find your councilman at the American Legion bar or in line at the grocery. He won't be able to duck you or lord it over you.
Posted by: Karin at December 22, 2008 11:45 AM
I think all of us here know that these laws are only meant to prevent annoyance to certain selected groups which have successfully supported (or intimidated) spineless "Liberal" legislators.
Posted by: Toa at December 22, 2008 12:03 PM
Brighton, Michigan annoys me. I hereby ban Brighton, Michigan.
Posted by: CoderInCrisis at December 22, 2008 1:11 PM
The BRIGHTON MICHIGAN CITY COUNCIL ARE A BUNCH OF ANNOYING LIBERAL MOONBATS
Posted by: Spurwing Plover at December 22, 2008 6:29 PM
