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

Posted on 03/27/2003 10:00:09 AM PST by 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.


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: flagdesecration; oldglory; protest
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To: PhilDragoo
Good of you to call and speak with his wife. So the report is not accurate.

That's a lot to assume from a conversation with an accused person's wife. I agree, however, that if what she is saying is true, then he should not be charged.
161 posted on 03/27/2003 11:43:03 AM PST by Stone Mountain
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To: Ronaldus Magnus
btt
162 posted on 03/27/2003 11:43:17 AM PST by Revenge Of Daffy-Duck ({ Insert Evil Laugh Here })
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To: Dimensio
You've never lost a loved one defending that flag have you?
163 posted on 03/27/2003 11:47:07 AM PST by null and void
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To: Stone Mountain; Chummy; Ronaldus Magnus; HenryLeeII; PhilDragoo
StoneMountain, I see where you are going with the legalities. But is it really wrong for us to believe that the hippie deserved to have his ass kicked? These America Haters do everything they can to undermine America and all she stands for, but when they are called on it, they run to the very protections they try to undermine. I couldnt in good conscience defend someone who hates themself so much that they will take it out on their own country. Thats just my opinion.
164 posted on 03/27/2003 11:47:19 AM PST by cardinal4 (The Senate Armed Services Comm; the Chinese pipeline into US secrets)
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To: HenryLeeII
Well, I would claim that my First Amendment rights were being violated. If protestors are allowed to burn American flags in violation of existing laws regarding burning anything in a public place (even though the flag in this instance was being desecrated and not burned), then I think Americans have the right to kick and punch anti-American trash in violation of existing battery laws. Its a "free speech thing!"

It amazes me how many "defenders of freedom" here don't extend that freedom to those who disagree with them.
165 posted on 03/27/2003 11:48:16 AM PST by Stone Mountain
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To: Sunshine Sister
Is there any other kind in WI?

In the smaller counties, yes.

166 posted on 03/27/2003 11:49:14 AM PST by wi jd
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To: rattrap
He may have or, such as is the case in our family, we're of the apparent similar ancestral origin and have been American citizens for now seven generations.

167 posted on 03/27/2003 11:49:23 AM PST by Chummy
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To: Chummy
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.

Has this been sourced? Not doubting you - I just haven't seen this reported.
168 posted on 03/27/2003 11:49:43 AM PST by Stone Mountain
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To: DoctorMichael
Hope he demands a JURY TRIAL.

I would love to be on the Jury! How do you say Jury Nullification?

RamS
169 posted on 03/27/2003 11:50:18 AM PST by RamingtonStall (Ride Hard and far! ..... and with GPS, Know where you are!)
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To: null and void
You've never lost a loved one defending that flag have you?

My view is that they were defending the freedoms that the flag represented, not the actual cloth flag itself.
170 posted on 03/27/2003 11:51:43 AM PST by Stone Mountain
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To: rj45mis
I think this assault was the right thing; I hope more protesters who do this sort of thing get their butts kicked.
171 posted on 03/27/2003 11:52:30 AM PST by Porterville (Screw the grammar, full posting ahead.)
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To: Ronaldus Magnus
Although this man was wrong to escalate the situation, the subtext of all public protest is an implied threat of violence.

Eh... I wouldn't say he's wrong. When I'm with a northerner and he cuts someone off down here I tell him he's insane and he'll eventually get rifled by someone if he keeps on doing that. It has a useful message and usually they tone down their agressive driving. This is sort of the same thing -- says Don't come to my home and protest my country or I'll kick your .....

172 posted on 03/27/2003 11:53:23 AM PST by Naspino
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To: Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain: It's not possible to be disorderly all by oneself?

Sure. Go to a ballgame and watch what happens to the jerk that runs onto the field.

But in this instance, where there were two parties both involved in the incident, and given further the circumstances, it is inequitable to charge but one. This is particularly so AS THE RESPONDING OFFICERS CITED BOTH PARTIES. It wasn't until the intervention of the Police Chief in which charges were not pressed, or were dropped from one of the parties, the apparent instigator.
173 posted on 03/27/2003 11:53:24 AM PST by Chummy
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To: Stone Mountain
Love it or leave it; want the right to desecrate the flag? Make it the french flag.
174 posted on 03/27/2003 11:54:45 AM PST by Porterville (Screw the grammar, full posting ahead.)
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To: steve in DC; wardaddy
"Given that the lesser provocation, a Confederate battle flag display, is seen as sufficient exculpitory grounds, a desecrated US flag should certainly be seen as a more egregious provocation."


Okay, DC Steve, I see what you mean; you're making what lawyers call an "a fortiori" argument (if X true for A, and B presents a stronger case than A, then X must be true for B). If some people see a Confederate battle flag as sufficient provocation for a violent outburst, then, a fortiori, the desecration of Old Glory is sufficient provocation for a violent outburst. So you're not really implying that displaying the Confederate battle flag is really an invitation to violence, you're pointing out the hypocrisy in those who believe that displaying the Rebel flag is tantamount to hate speech, but who inexplicably believe that burning or defacing the U.S. flag shouldn't insult or hurt anyone.

BTW, I agree with Wardaddy that those with Confederate flag decals on their vehicles are the least likely people around to desecrate Old Glory.
175 posted on 03/27/2003 11:56:02 AM PST by AuH2ORepublican (Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice, moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.)
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To: Ronaldus Magnus
Attacking protesters who are not blocking traffic is wrong. The guy who did this should be arrested and serve time in jail.
176 posted on 03/27/2003 11:56:22 AM PST by xm177e2 (Stalinists, Maoists, Ba'athists, Pacifists: Why are they always on the same side?)
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To: Stone Mountain
No, I understand, Stone Mountain. Here's a link to the Wausau Daily Herald.

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/wdhlocal/277329988682384.shtml
177 posted on 03/27/2003 11:56:29 AM PST by Chummy
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To: Ronaldus Magnus
Freepers who just a day ago endorsed legislation that would define certain forms of political activity as "terrorism" (like blocking traffic or causing harm to others) should realize that under those laws, this "patriot" could be charged as a terrorist and given life imprisonment, because he attacked the protester for political reasons.
178 posted on 03/27/2003 11:57:59 AM PST by xm177e2 (Stalinists, Maoists, Ba'athists, Pacifists: Why are they always on the same side?)
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To: cardinal4
I couldnt in good conscience defend someone who hates themself so much that they will take it out on their own country. Thats just my opinion.

I understand you, but I take the opposite view. Unpopular, repugnant speech, even speech that I disagree with, is the speech that I belive most needs defending. Some here have brought up that this kind of speech wouldn't be allowed in many countries, and I say that is precisely why we are better than those countries. We don't stop our citizens from expressing their political views, and we protect them even when we disagree with those views. The way I see it, unpopular speech is the whole point of free speech. I may not agree with what that hippie was saying, but I sure am going to criticize anyone that would censor (or assault) him.
179 posted on 03/27/2003 11:58:46 AM PST by Stone Mountain
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To: Stone Mountain
Good point. But freedom of speech doesnt mean Freedom of Speech....without repercussion. An example would be telling a USSS agent that I wanted to kill a President. Im allowed to say it, but not without consequence. That is the point that I think is lost here.
180 posted on 03/27/2003 12:01:52 PM PST by cardinal4 (The Senate Armed Services Comm; the Chinese pipeline into US secrets)
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