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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: Ronaldus Magnus
Although this man was wrong to escalate the situation

I think that under the Supreme Court's "Fighting Words" doctrine, the flag desecrater was at fault.

There is an old doctrine that some words are so offensive as to constitute the first blow of a fight, and to allow the other person to strike back without guilt.

Part of the decision on Flag Burning was that while it is a constitutionally protected right, it may also constitute "Fighting Words". It is an act so outragious as to constitute the first blow of the fight.

SO9

21 posted on 03/27/2003 10:08:54 AM PST by Servant of the Nine (We are the Hegemon. We can do anything we damned well please.)
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To: Ronaldus Magnus
I hate it when people deface the flag, but I am not given to violence over it. I just smile and say to myself that this conduct is the unfortunate byproduct of a society that is free enough for the "jerk to do his thing".

When you punch a guy who is burning or defacing a U.S. flag, don't you kind of help the jerk's pathetic point?

I do, however, believe that laws regarding the burning of anything in public without a proper permit or inciting to riot should be enforced. IMHO

22 posted on 03/27/2003 10:09:32 AM PST by PackerBoy
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To: Dimensio
"So you believe that aggrivated assault is acceptable when someone is expressing a viewpoint that you don't like?"


I'm accepting it!
23 posted on 03/27/2003 10:10:11 AM PST by rj45mis
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To: Ronaldus Magnus
A favorable opinion piece about the incident here.
24 posted on 03/27/2003 10:11:54 AM PST by Ronaldus Magnus
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To: Ronaldus Magnus
Man Accused Of Punching, Kicking War Protester Who Was Carrying a Defaced U.S. Flag

(If I were a judge...)
NOT GUILTY, by reason of fighting words constructively delivered by the war protestor
through the "action" of defacing the flag of The United States of America.

The war protestor and prosecutor will be assessed court costs for having wasted
the court's time with this crap.

NEXT CASE!
25 posted on 03/27/2003 10:12:01 AM PST by VOA
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To: rj45mis
yup
26 posted on 03/27/2003 10:13:52 AM PST by ChadsDad
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To: Ronaldus Magnus
we need more guys like him..sign him up!
27 posted on 03/27/2003 10:14:51 AM PST by vigilante2
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To: Dimensio
......you believe that aggrivated assault is acceptable..........

I believe he should be treated like these spoiled little Thugs and 'useful pro-Totalitarian Dictator idiots' are being treated when they tie up law officers who could be spending their time combating terrorism and protecting the American people..............and give him a light slap on the wrist and let him go.

Maybe that scumbag, underwear-sniffing, girlyman protestor will think twice next time.

28 posted on 03/27/2003 10:15:11 AM PST by DoctorMichael (Liberalism = Evil)
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To: Ronaldus Magnus
In my opinion, the man is a hero.

This just enforces my opinion that the cops protect the socialists and communists that are hellbent on destroying our way of life.

Time after time you see people that support freedon being spat upon and assaulted by the communists and the police do nothing, but let someone give one of the socialists so much as a dirty look and the police are all over them.
29 posted on 03/27/2003 10:15:52 AM PST by sport
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To: Ronaldus Magnus
Hopefully

Officer Smith - I didn't see it.
Officer Jones - I didn't see it either.
Judge Murphy - Case dismissed!

30 posted on 03/27/2003 10:16:09 AM PST by Dan from Michigan ("I have two guns. One for each of ya." - Doc Holliday)
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To: rj45mis
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.

Stay in the car, have stroke, hit accelerator, tragic accident.

Note: stroke is like Democrats' patriotism: simulated.

31 posted on 03/27/2003 10:17:15 AM PST by PhilDragoo (Hitlery: das Butch von Buchenvald)
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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.

I see it as the protester being in the wrong here.

In today's environment, carrying a defaced flag was "hate speach". At the very least it was "fighting words".

I do not argue that defacing or burning the flag is a form of speach. But people must be prepared for the reactions that are provoked when they choose to communicate using these extreme forms of speach.

Just as, if I were to refer to an African American using that word that can only be spoken by Democrats, I would be seen, by the courts, as being at fault, were my use of that word to provoke a violent reaction.

Similarly, if I were to display the Confederate battle flag on my car, I might similarly provoke a violent response, were I to drive through certain neighborhoods.

Generally, I would hold that no mere words should be sufficient to justify a violent reaction. But the courts have held that "fighting words" do mitigate, if not justify, a violent response.

32 posted on 03/27/2003 10:17:20 AM PST by steve in DC
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To: Ronaldus Magnus
I'll accept any individual's opinion on a matter, regardless of how opposed it is to mine. However, don't flaunt your opinion on an issue as serious as this. Regardless of the law, I would be inclined to remove such an irritation from public view.
33 posted on 03/27/2003 10:19:26 AM PST by rj45mis
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To: kevao
"Wausau is a pretty liberal area, though -- Dave Obey's district."


Actually, it's not as liberal as it used to be. Gore beat Bush in the city of Wausau by less than 6%, and Bush actually beat Gore in Marathon County by 4%. Obey's district only gave Gore 47.8% of the vote (to 46.4% for Bush), and it will provide an excellent opportunity for a Republican pick-up when Obey finally retires. But so long as Obey Wan Kenobi runs, the seat will remain in Democrat hands.
34 posted on 03/27/2003 10:20:06 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: Dan from Michigan
In another article about the incident ,the police recommended that both men be charged with disorderly conduct, but the D.A. chose not to prosecute the flag desecrator.
35 posted on 03/27/2003 10:21:08 AM PST by Ronaldus Magnus
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To: Ronaldus Magnus
The Chief happen to know the law on desecration of the US Flag? The moron protesting AGAINST THE NATION THAT SECURES SUCH FREEDOMS could have easily made a sign that did not deface the American flag.
36 posted on 03/27/2003 10:22:30 AM PST by Chummy
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To: PhilDragoo
Isn't it odd that we didn't hear a peep out of these punks amidst watergate, filegate, Chinagate? Where was their righteous indignation then?
37 posted on 03/27/2003 10:23:38 AM PST by rj45mis
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To: Ronaldus Magnus
I clicked on the link and sent " a copy to a friend", actually 2, one to my son in the 2nd Rgr Bn and the other to my son in the 3rd ID.

Some find it repugnant to cloak self-interest in morality.
38 posted on 03/27/2003 10:25:11 AM PST by Smoke6
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To: Dimensio
Dimensio: So you believe that aggrivated assault is acceptable when someone is expressing a viewpoint that you don't like? Do you believe that a "conservative" judge would choose to selectively enforce the law in this fashion?

What's "aggrivated assault"? It seems to me one citizen was expressing himself freely as protected by the Bill of Rights, informing another that he shouldn'ta oughtn'ta gone and done something as idiotic as PROTEST AGAINST THE VERY NATION THAT SECURES THE FREEDOM HE DEMANDS FOR HIMSELF.
39 posted on 03/27/2003 10:25:44 AM PST by Chummy
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To: rj45mis
I don't like your opinion on this matter. Do you think that it's okay if I beat you up?
40 posted on 03/27/2003 10:26:11 AM PST by Dimensio
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