First of all I want to tell everyone in North Arlington how very proud I am of them for filling up Shackelford Jr. High on Monday night. 150 people or more wanted to be informed and took time out of their evening to find out what is going on in their community. Wow, I’m impressed.
As for Tuesday nights Council Meeting, it was very insightful. There were two items on the agenda that were of significant merit. The first item was the amendment of an existing ordinance. Essentially the issue was to not allow people to walk out in the street and hand out material to cars or approach cars stopped at an intersection. This was billed as a First Amendment right to have free speech in our roadways. Open Carry Texas wanted to do this in our main thoroughfares. I took offense to this issue in that two people were killed in the very street where they were passing out material. The Council voted 8-1 in favor of this amendment. During this discussion, Mr. Tenderholt, a candidate for state representative, could not allow my free speech. He interrupted me twice and was removed from the meeting. Just what we want representing us in Austin
The other issue was one that would deny firearms to be carried into the Council Chamber during proceedings. All I heard from Open Carry Texas was that it was their Constitutional right to do so. That is simply their opinion and I will let the Supreme Court decide if they are right. The vote was 9-0 to deny weapons in Chambers.
What I learned from the exchanges this evening was that, Freedom of Speech and the First Amendment only pertain when you are saying something that they want to hear. Otherwise disrespect for someone else’s freedom of speech is their game plan. Although a few salient points were made tonight, it is my opinion that they simply can’t tolerate a differing point of view. If you would like to see for yourself, simply log on to arlingtontx.gov and go to the video of the council meeting for the evening of 22 April.
Mr. Parker,
ReplyDeleteI saw a church group on the side of the road on Abram St. today promoting a car wash. If they had collected any funds or passed out any information about their organization, they would have been in violation of this new ordinance. What about curb-side pick-up with Toys for Tots? Do all of these organizations need $500 tickets?
What you fail to realize is that this free speech issue has already been before the Supreme Court, and citizens have already won. So now we (the citizens) are going to be forced to take you to Court over this...and we will win yet again.
And for your information, Tony Tinderholt walked out. He was not at any point "removed from the floor." And just in case you were thinking that your actions will go without consequences, this will be the last time you run unopposed, and the people of Arlington will see to it that this is your last term in those Council chambers.
Faith if I can be of further assistance to you feel free to call, just like the last time.
DeleteCharlie, I'm not sure if you were a born "public servant", but most people get involved in civil government because they are passionate about a particular issue. It takes time to learn to work within the system. Although I am on the other side, I was pleased to see Bob giving the speakers some leeway as they make their points.
ReplyDeleteI remain disturbed that you would bring up the guy that killed a woman as you tried to smear the OC movement, and then say that you aren't trying to smear the OC movement. It is beneath the level of discourse I expect out of my representatives.
Lastly, you mischaracterize how the OC people operate. They don't go into the street to hand someone the Constitution (which is really all they hand out) unless that person requests it with some sort of clear indication. There are hours and hours of video, and you can see it yourself. And it is not hard to watch them...they are pretty public about it.
You aren't concerned for their safety, or you would have done something about this back when these other two people were killed. Nope, only when people who are doing something you don't like did you swing into action to stop all the horrible chaos. Your actions here, like the other members of the city council, are quite transparent. As I stated the other day, legislative bodies who pass laws for ostensibly allowable reasons like safety will find themselves in hot water if the real reason for the passage of the law was to shut down someone practicing their constitutionally protected rights. You guys may be able to get away with it, but then again, you may blow many thousands of dollars learning the hard way. Cheers.
My point in bringing up Mr. White is that the OCT group has it's people that are not in touch with reality. Does this group have one of those, I hope not, but I certainly don't want to take that chance. Our decisions close a loop hole in our ordinance. My grandmother would simple say, "don't you have enough sense to get out of the road." Clearly people don't and now we have to legislate it.
DeleteThank you for taking a stand against the OCT group. You'll have my vote whether or not you run unopposed.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your support. I have been called names, threatened, and even had remarks made about my wife. This is simply a gang, it isn't a group. Their tactics are such that they intitimidate. Their isn't a thought process at work here. Simply intimidation and threats. Hey, when the bell rings go to recess. What bothers me is that they have a leader that is seeking office to represent the citizens of Arlington in Austin. That is worrysome. The First Amendment rights of our citizens to speak their minds down at city hall has been preserved by a vote of 9-0. On the 13th your right to drive in the city of Arlington will be preserved. It will be unlawful for someone to accost you, with or without a gun, when you are sitting at a light. Again thank you for your support, you aren't along.
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