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.

[jjm2111]

"I believe that certain cases of assault should be weighed with respect to the fact that the person who threw the punch (or kick or headbutt or elbow or whatever) may have been enraged through deliberate verbal taunts, however I believe that such a justificaion typically should only apply when such 'fighting words' are directed specifically toward the assailant beforehand rather than a general proclamation to all who might be within hearing range."

99 times out of a hundred, I would agree with you. However, some of the signs the protesters have been waving are downright enraging. I saw one (on the news) that said, "We support the troops when they shoot their officers." If I had seen that for real, there would be a chance I would have been set off, and I'm not one who is ordinarily prone to violence.

I don't think assault on protestors is right. But considering the mitigating cirucmstances, if I were a judge, I would say disorderly conduct, suspended sentence, and if you stay out of trouble for 90 days your conviction gets expunged.

OTOH, it seems like the protestor may have struck first. Dunno on that one.

[Catspaw]

I didn't post a link to this record in Wisconsin Circuit Court Access program because it contains personal information about him (you could find WCCAP on a web search). He did pay the $36 fee for the jury trial. It's probably more than the fine.

[PhilDragoo]

OTOH, it seems like the protestor may have struck first. Dunno on that one.

We'll get the editor and Casimir together.

The wife said he didn't punch anybody.

Picture the mob of protestors claiming he did and was the only one.

One side has come out in print--but that's subject to change.

[Terriergal]

COUNTER PROTEST IDEA - please give me your thoughts....

...brainstorming here...pass the idea around if you think it has any merit.

Would it work to block their progress the same way they block whatever it is they are trying to disrupt? E.G. form a ring around them by holding hands and just stand there? this guy could have just stood with a couple others in the flagwaver's way and kept asking for the flag and refused to let him pass until he gave it over... Just get in their way and refuse to move? then charge them with assault if they lay a hand on you?

[PhilDragoo]

I didn't post a link to this record in Wisconsin Circuit Court Access program because it contains personal information about him (you could find WCCAP on a web search). He did pay the $36 fee for the jury trial. It's probably more than the fine.

He's banking on the jury being selected from jobless sympathizers, and the police officer not appearing.

[Travis McGee]

Another (legal) tactic is to follow two step behind the jerk, yelling "TRAITOR! COWARD! THIS MAN SUPPORTS TORTURING CHILDREN! THIS MAN SUPPORTS MASS RAPE! THIS MAN LOVES SADDAM HUSSEIN!

Etc etc. If he demands his free speech, you can claim the same right and harrass the crap out of him.

Once in a mall I saw a guy wearing a "sexual positions" t-shirt. Explicit, it showed about the 10 or so most popular sexual positions, along with lewd phrases. All in close eyeshot of ten year olds etc.

First I tried nicely to ask him to leave, or turn the shirt inside out. I got "F*** YOU!"

So I followed right behind him, through the mall, exercising MY first amendment rights. "PERVERT COMING! WATCH OUT FOLKS, HERE COMES A PERVERT! HIDE YOUR CHILDREN, HERE COMES A PERVERT!"

The guy turned and ran out of the mall like his hair was on fire and the only water was outside.

[Travis McGee]

See 226 for an idea.

[rwfromkansas]

Well, I understand how he blew up. Hopefully he won't get in much trouble.

[Henrietta]

See post #35

[HenryLeeII]

No, people have the right to peaceably assemble and voice their opinion, but with rights come responsibilities. Undermining your country during a time of war is not a right. Giving aid (propaganda or otherwise) and comfort to your country's enemy is not a right. Desecrating the American flag and what she stands for, freedoms that our ancestors have fought and died for, is not a right. Being a tool of international socialist organizations that want to undermine the U.S. and capitalism is a symptom of stupidity and gullibility, and is not emblematic of being patriotic or of exercising one's rights.

[Catspaw]

Travis, that's a lovely idea. I'm all for freedom of speech, especially when it's done either at the top of my lungs or with a bullhorn.

[nanny]

The only problem with supporting what this man did - next time it might your point of view that is unpopular and you will be the one who is being attacked.
Believe me, that could happen and probably will at some point in time in this country. I really would like to protect everyone's right, because I want to keep mine.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

The bloke's probably got a son on the ground in Iraq.

Of course, the antiwars never think or care about that.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

..so I followed right behind him, through the mall, exercising MY first amendment rights. "PERVERT COMING! WATCH OUT FOLKS, HERE COMES A PERVERT! HIDE YOUR CHILDREN, HERE COMES A PERVERT!"....

High five, Trav!

So much of the libs' MO is a sneering 'well, what are YOU going to do about it?' And when you actually get in their face, they fold like a wet handkerchief. He won't be wearing that T shirt to the mall again.

[Laurie S]

We must not be the violent ones. This is bad press for our side. :(

[Eye4nEye]

MICHAEL  WALLSCHLAEGER

PROFESSOR AND CHAIR
EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT

Office Hours: Monday - Wednesday - Friday
                      10:00 - 3:00 pm or by appointment
Phone: (715) 394- 8140 (office)
FAX:    (715) 394- 8146
e-mail: mwallsch@staff.uwsuper.edu

[MissBaby]

Defacing the flag is a hate crime!

[PatrioticAmerican]

Can I buy this guy a beer? wait, make that a steak dinner.

[Catspaw]

That doesn't make any sense. Why would someone who lives in Mosinee teach at UW-Superior? Even if he only teaches three days a week, it's a helluva commute. That's about 200-250 miles one way (from Mosinee to Superior) and it's not interstate driving, either.

[Eye4nEye]

Please pull post # 236.