Liberty Minute July 9 2014

Two years ago, police in the village of Arena, Wisconsin conducted a manhunt for two black males who were later accused of burglary. Comments posted to the department?s Facebook page complained about some of the tactics used by police to track down the suspects. Thomas Smith?s contribution to the discussion, such as it was, was replete with misspellings, foul language, and racial slurs, but appeared to criticize the police for being abusive and racist.

Whether that characterization was warranted, Smith had an unqualified right to express his opinions. He neither threatened violence nor insinuated approval for violent acts. Yet he was arrested and charged with ?disorderly conduct and unlawful use of a computerized communication system.? A jury quickly convicted him of that supposed offense.

A Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge overturned that conviction on July 3, ruling that nothing in Smith?s admittedly uncouth statement constituted ?fighting words? or a ?true threat? that would supposedly justify an exception to First Amendment protections.

Police agencies across the country have been militarized and indoctrinated into the belief that the public is their enemy. Surely such bold and valiant heroes don?t require protection against nasty Facebook comments.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.