"Congress shall make no law" ... Did he think you were Congress? Why is it so hard for people to understand the First Amendment?
Exactly, I'm not the govt.
Many people all across the political spectrum seem to forget that governmental action requirement before a violation of the first amendment or any other violation of the bill or rights.
It I had hit the leftist or threatened to hit him if he didn't shut up, I might be fairly described as interfering with his ability to speak (albeit, not a First Amendment violation since I'm not the government). The criminal charge against me would have been assault.
What was most funny about this guy's complaint had nothing to do with the government action requirement (i.e., before some action could violate the first amendment).
I kept my distance from the guy and never threatened him, let alone hit him. I sure didn't want to fight him.
The funniest aspect was that he went into victim mode when I laughed at him and ridiculed him. Boo hoo. It made him feel bad.
I half expected this thirty-something guy to tearfully call his Mother on his cellphone: "Mommy, he's saying bad things about me. Wah! Make him stop! Make him stop!"
PS. It was great to see you at the festivities.