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.

[steve in DC]

Don't compare having a Confederate battle flag decal on your windshield with defacing the Stars and Stripes.

In this instance, I believe I can. The comparison is valid, if only to illustrate how low the bar has been set by the courts.

There is a class of people in this country who see the Confederate flag symbol as sufficient provocation as to justify a violent outburst. The courts have tended to agree with this position.

I agree with you that the case of desecration of a US flag, on a good day, could be seen as at least as inflamatory. In times of war, even more so.

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.

[Henrietta]

"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."

How predictable!

[My back yard]

They didn't say his name, or really say that he has been arrested. Did they? Maybe he got back in his car and left.

[SquirrelKing]

Ah, sweet justice...

[rj45mis]

Yet one has to realize the "human nature" factor here. We are not Dr. Spocks and we tend to get real emotional about something so dear to our hearts. The legal system has recognized this in some of the rulings that have come out in this regard. Most people feel angry with a scumbag like this but don't act on tha anger. However, it only takes that one time when someone's having a tough day and loses it.

[Dimensio]

I don't think we're quite at the point where a brief impassioned scuffle over politics merits jail time.

A "scuffle" would have occured if the man who was punched had been arguing back and forth with the man who punched him until tension rose enough to drive one of them to violence. That did not happen in this case. The attacker saw someone holding something that he didn't like, so he got out of his car and threw a punch. I might have a different opinion of the matter if it comes to light that the man holding the defaced flag said anything directly to the man who attacked him, but nothing in the article suggests as much.

[cardinal4]

the idiot who violated the US Code should also be cited for this infraction.

Correct, I dont see that the pinko America Hater was charged with anything.

[Dimensio]

My justification is based on I hate commie anti-americans who desecrate the flag.

Interesting. So you believe that hatred is justification for violence...

[Publius6961]

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

Well, chief Moron, how many "peaceful" protesters have you prosecuted for doing damage to property or police personnel?

[Dimensio]

"Your honor, I know that he did nothing wrong when I broke his neck, but I'd just lost my job and my wife had left me."

"Case dismissed!"

[Search4Truth]

You make a good point. However, the laws have to apply to everyone equally or they are not laws at all.

Our patriot should accept responsibility for breaking the law and pay the fine for this assualt charge. It is what I would expect if I were on the receiving end of an assault. Justice will then have been served.

[cardinal4]

Take a look at what is being "Protected" in NYC today based on freedom of speech. Again the climate has changed since 9/11. The pinko commie who desecrated the flag got what he deserved. It should be noted, as well, that he comitted a crime, too. But he was not charged. Hopefully, he will think twice about defacing a flag again. Then again hopefully he wont; a hippie getting his ass kicked is always just deserts for those who hate their country.

[rj45mis]

ah..but he did do something wrong! he got his neck broken.

[Stone Mountain]

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?

Yup, it's amazing (and sad) how many people here are defending someone who would use violence to react to a political disagreement. If the political viewpoints were reversed, you can be sure this same group of people would be calling the attacker a terrorist...

[Dimensio]

I thought that laws banning "desecration" of the US Flag had been ruled unconstitutional? Or at least ruled as inapplicable with respect to the desecration being done as a deliberate act of protest (as opposed to neglect).

[Between the Lines]

Fightin' Side Of Me: Merle Haggard.

Written by Merle Haggard.
(© Tree Publishing Company.)
From "Songs I'll Always Sing", © 1976, Capitol Records.

I hear people talkin' bad,
About the way we have to live here in this country,
Harpin' on the wars we fight,
An' gripin' 'bout the way things oughta be.
An' I don't mind 'em switchin' sides,
An' standin' up for things they believe in.
When they're runnin' down my country, man,
They're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

Yeah, walkin' on the fightin' side of me.
Runnin' down the way of life,
Our fightin' men have fought and died to keep.
If you don't love it, leave it:
Let this song I'm singin' be a warnin'.
If you're runnin' down my country, man,
You're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

I read about some squirrely guy,
Who claims, he just don't believe in fightin'.
An' I wonder just how long,
The rest of us can count on bein' free.
They love our milk an' honey,
But they preach about some other way of livin'.
When they're runnin' down my country, hoss,
They're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

Yeah, walkin' on the fightin' side of me.
Runnin' down the way of life,
Our fightin' men have fought and died to keep.
If you don't love it, leave it:
Let this song I'm singin' be a warnin'.
If you're runnin' down my country, man,
You're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

Yeah, walkin' on the fightin' side of me.
Runnin' down the way of life,
Our fightin' men have fought and died to keep.
If you don't love it, leave it:
Let this song I'm singin' be a warnin'.
If you're runnin' down my country, man,
You're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

[Stone Mountain]

Correct, I dont see that the pinko America Hater was charged with anything.

Until the flag desecration amendment becomes law, what would you charge him with?

[wardaddy]

An ironic flaw in your equivocation on the CSA battle flag is that anyone who has any Old South/CSA type sticker on their vehicle like me for instance with a Bonnie Blue front tag is about the least likely type of person in this country to be either burning Old Glory or protesting this noble war...lol

BTW....Old Glory adorns the back of my old Land Rover and hangs from my portico at home as it has 24/7 since 9-11.

We need to hang together. I'd leave that South bashing (whether intended or not) for the Walt Brigade threads.

Respectfully Yours,