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.

[Servant of the Nine]

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

[PackerBoy]

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

[rj45mis]

"So you believe that aggrivated assault is acceptable when someone is expressing a viewpoint that you don't like?"


I'm accepting it!

[Ronaldus Magnus]

A favorable opinion piece about the incident here.

[VOA]

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!

[ChadsDad]

yup

[vigilante2]

we need more guys like him..sign him up!

[DoctorMichael]

......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.

[sport]

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.

[Dan from Michigan]

Hopefully

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

[PhilDragoo]

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.

[steve in DC]

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.

[rj45mis]

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.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"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.

[Ronaldus Magnus]

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.

[Chummy]

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.

[rj45mis]

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?

[Smoke6]

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.

[Chummy]

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.

[Dimensio]

I don't like your opinion on this matter. Do you think that it's okay if I beat you up?