Man Accused Of Punching, Kicking War Protester Who Was Carrying a Defaced U.S. Flag

WISC-TV ^

[Ronaldus Magnus]

WAUSAU, Wis. -- A man upset that a war protester was parading around downtown Wausau with a defaced American flag is facing a disorderly conduct charge after attacking the demonstrator.

The incident happened Monday afternoon outside the Marathon County Courthouse. Mike Wallschlaeger of Mosine carried an upside down flag with "EMPIRE" written across it.

A fellow demonstrator says a man got out of his car, tried to grab the flag, then pushed Wallschlaeger to the ground, punched and kicked him.

Wausau Police Chief William Brandimore says the right to free speech is protected, but disorderly conduct is not.

[cardinal4]

TITLE 4--FLAG AND SEAL, SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE STATES

CHAPTER 1--THE FLAG

Sec. 8. Respect for flag

No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America...(g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature...The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.

Perhaps you missed it the first time Chummy posted it?

[AxelPaulsenJr]

God Bless that man. He should face no charges for his defense of the Flag.

[rj45mis]

Yup, it's amazing (and sad) how many people here are defending someone who would use violence to react to a political disagreement. If the political viewpoints were reversed, you can be sure this same group of people would be calling the attacker a terrorist...

I didn't read anything about violence...one american was just introducing a commie to some martial arts.

[Ditto]

Well, this guy needs to be punished. I'd suggest community service. Maybe a month of beer tasting at the local brewery. Or conducting surprise visits to the nudie clubs to make sure the girls all have their pasties on. Something to show that it's not acceptable to get caught beating-up up maggot infested hippies even if they are desecrating the flag.

[Chummy]

Expressing an opinion that the US Flag should not be so desecrated is not an expression of free speech? Explain why. Explain why this physical act would not be protected, but an act of incitement is.

[Dimensio]

Some people believe that the landmark Supreme Court ruling regarding flag desecration should simply be ignored because they don't like it.

[Dimensio]

Your response only supports his claim.

[Stone Mountain]

The pinko commie who desecrated the flag got what he deserved. It should be noted, as well, that he comitted a crime, too.

What crime was that?

[GLDNGUN]

The jerk with the flag is the one who should be facing charges, starting with 'INCITING A RIOT'.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Gettin his butt whooped in public by a guy forty years older than him?

[Chummy]

He's apparently a 63-year old fella named Casimir Krasowski.

The Wausau Daily Herald has an article on the subject (but be warned in advance, reading it could cause your blood to boil):

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/wdhlocal/277329988682384.shtml

[Dimensio]

Expressing an opinion that the US Flag should not be so desecrated is not an expression of free speech?

That was not the implication of the statement and you know it.

[HenryLeeII]

The incident happened Monday afternoon outside the Marathon County Courthouse. Mike Wallschlaeger of Mosine carried an upside down flag with "EMPIRE" written across it.

A fellow demonstrator says a man got out of his car, tried to grab the flag, then pushed Wallschlaeger to the ground, punched and kicked him.

So, where's the crime? If this had happened in a non-socialist state I'd be fairly confident that the jury would convenve about five minutes to decide its not-guilty verdict, but seeing as how this is the Peoples' Socialist Republic of Wiskonsin, I'm not so sure. Not quite as bad as the Peoples' Socialist Republics of Massachussets, Maryland, or Kalifornia, but still bad enough.

[Ronaldus Magnus]

Police who responded said both men would face disorderly conduct charges, but Brandimore said later that only the man accused of committing the assault, Casimir Krasowski, 63, of Wausau would be charged.

Thank you for finding his name. I just called and spoke to his wife. She said that they are feeling very alone right now and that here husband did not attack anyone. She said he tried to talk the protester into putting the flag away and that it was the protester, not her husband, who became violent. They currently don't have an attorney or a legal defense fund. I conveyed our best wishes and ask that she call me if they decide to accept financial assistance for their legal defense.

[11th_VA]

If burning a cross can be a hate crime, certainly "defacing" an American flag should be. Wish the Pubbies in congress would take this up.

[Chummy]

Precisely. I'm not citing any section of the Code that was struck down by SCOTUS, I'm simply showing what the Code says and indicating the violation thereof.

[cardinal4]

If it were up to me; being an America Hater. But Its not. But read the statute, it doesnt give a chargeable offence, I agree. Im just pointing out that it appears to be against the law, but the only charges levied were against the guy who threw the punch. And make no mistake, if he is convicted he should pay the price, fine, whatever. But my feelings and convictions allow me to:

A.Call the protester a commie, and dislike him that reason,

B.Hope the guy who threw the punch gets off,

C.Lionize the man for kicking the hippies ass.

D. Contribute to his defence fund

[JohnnyZ]

Interesting. So you believe that hatred is justification for violence...

You don't watch wrasslin', do ya?

[Stone Mountain]

Expressing an opinion that the US Flag should not be so desecrated is not an expression of free speech? Explain why. Explain why this physical act would not be protected, but an act of incitement is.

This is a joke, right? You're not seriously comparing an assault on another person to expressing an opinion, are you?

[Dimensio]

So, where's the crime?

If the events reported in the article are accurate, then the crime occured when the man got out of his car and threw a punch. At least one person here has suggested that the events as reported are either incomplete or inaccurate, so it remains to be seen exactly what happened.