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]

Read section 8 of Chummys and my post.

[Chummy]

Stone Mountain: What crime was that?

For starters, police responding to the scene said both parties would be charged with disorderly conduct. When the Police Chief learned of the incident, he rushed to the defense of the protestor, informing his force by memo that they are to protect the protestors.

Only the fella who defended the flag was charged with disorderly conduct.

[rj45mis]

"Your response only supports his claim"

It seems to me there are numerous "claims" here. Which one are you referring to and why are you trying so hard to sway others over to your way of thinking? If you were as wise as you apparently think you are, you would understand that this forum is not used not only for exchanging ideas and opinions, but for venting as well.

[Dr.Deth]

Demand a jury trial. Simple as that.

[AlmightySR]

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

What about the protestors walking down the middle of the road blocking traffic and infringing on the right of other people to live their lives!!! THIS PEES ME OFF!!!

Why are the rights of the person driving his car home from work being protected? Where the H*LL do the rights of free speech end??!?!!? They do not end when they infringe on the rights of another individual obviously. The law enforcement is teaching us that!

I WANT THE RIGHTS OF THE MAN OR WOMAN DRIVING HOME FROM WORK TO EAT WITH HIS/HER FAMILY PROTECTED!!

This freedom of speech is getting out of hand and we are losing touch with the other laws the "freedom of speech" can infringe on if taken too far sometimes.

Can I hear a "I" from all who agree?

[Wavyhill]

Maybe we can get something going to get patriots in the area swear that they're unbiased when they're called for jury duty.

[Dimensio]

I'm venting as well. It may not appear to be the case, however, because even when venting I try to keep my thoughts rational and logical. I strive to avoid excessive emotional outbursts, as things tend to become very broken in the aftermath of such.

[kristinn]

The guy was wrong to take a swing at the protester. Those on this thread cheering him on are wrong, also. Folks do all kinds of things with the flag. As long as it's their flag, that's their right.

I think the guy with the flag is an idiot who was looking to be provacative. It's a childish way of drawing attention, but that doesn't mean he should get wailed on for it.

[Wavyhill]

Your analysis is incorrect. The fact is that laws against assault are already unenforced when leftists are the assaulters. To convict conservatives of such crimes, in such a society, would be to make them second-class citizens. Fortunately, we have a thing called a "jury."

[Dimensio]

Would they really be unbiased, or are you suggesting that we encourage people to commit perjury?

[cardinal4]

I think you mean Aye! :)

AYE

[AlmightySR]

"Why are the rights of the person driving his car home from work being protected?"

I meant to say "Why are the rights of the person driving his car home from work NOT being protected?"

[Chummy]

Defacing the flag is a violation of the section of the US Code I cite. I never said it's a crime, although perhaps, just as shouting fire in a crowded theater, it should very well be.

More patently unfair is that both parties were cited for disorderly conduct, but only the fella defending the flag was actually charged, and apparently because the Police Chief intervened, writing a memo to his force they are to protect the protestors.

In another post in this thread, you will see a statement by the wife of the patriot, she saying her husband did not attack anyone, that the flag desecrator is the perpetrator.

Given the rising state of violence employed by these anti-American cretins, there is little doubt in my mind that the wrong person stands accused, and that further injustice is done to our country, as symbolized by our Flag.

[Stone Mountain]

Maybe we can get something going to get patriots in the area swear that they're unbiased when they're called for jury duty.

Do you believe that "patriots" support violence against those who disagree with them?

[Stone Mountain]

For starters, police responding to the scene said both parties would be charged with disorderly conduct. When the Police Chief learned of the incident, he rushed to the defense of the protestor, informing his force by memo that they are to protect the protestors.

When the police are breaking up a fight, it's typical to charge both sides with disorderly. They then drop the charges if they aren't supportable. What was the "disorderly conduct" of the protestor?

[cardinal4]

I agree, Krisitnn, he should be punished if convicted. I dont think I was cheering him on, but I hope he gets off. Does this render irelevant the criminal justice code? Probably, but what about the protesters that spit on, throw paint on, puke on others? There is probably a lot more to this story that printed, but Im damn tired of anti-war anti America protesters and their protectors. (Not you!)

[rj45mis]

What it boils down to is this: Most of us in this forum can relate to what the gentleman took upon himself to do when he saw this jerk parading the flag around in an offensive manner. I doubt that any of us would actually follow through with our spoken remedies, but at least it gives us an opportunity to expressly identify in principle.

[Chummy]

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

For the sake of the discussion, assume for the moment it is not.

It really matters not whether I say this tongue-in-cheek, or with utter seriousness. If you or any one else defend as an expression of free speech the desecration of the American flag, answer the question: Explain why a physical act that expresses a passion for our country should not be protected, but an act of incitement is.

Don't avoid the question with more rhetoric.

[SpyGuy]

And how do the "idolized" Hollywood idiots feel about this sort of thing? To quote actress Janeane Garofalo (from a 1998 interview):

"Our country is founded on a sham: our forefathers were slave-owning rich white guys who wanted it their way. So when I see the American flag, I go, 'Oh my God, you're insulting me.' That you can have a gay parade on Christopher Street in New York, with naked men and women on a float cheering, 'We're here, we're queer!' -- that's what makes my heart swell. Not the flag, but a gay naked man or woman burning the flag. I get choked up with pride."

Disgusting! If you're a true conservative, you'll boycott Hollywood until they go bankrupt and fire all these piece-of-s#&@ Commie Leftists!

[Dimensio]

If the Police Chief is directly intervening in such a way to allow the protestors to commit assault without fear of prosecution and guarantee of arrest of anyone who fights back, then this is a very bad situation and the Police Chief should be shot. However, all that I have to go on is the article (which is skimpy on details, to say the least) and the claim from the man's wife (which I have to admit cannot be considered totally unbiased). I will say that if this altercation started, as reported, with the man exiting his vechile only because he saw something that he did not like then he is certainly not entirely innocent here, even if the protestor shares some guilt.