Bizarre, Constitutional Law, Free Speech, Politics, Society, Uncategorized

Portland Mayor Demands Feds Bar Conservative Group From Speaking

Ted Wheeler, mayor of Portland, Oregon, has joined a growing list of liberals curtailing free speech and seeking exceptions for speech that they deem to be hateful or offensive.  We saw recently Howard Dean espousing the false premise that there is a hate speech exception to the First Amendment.  We also saw politicians in California seeking to curtail anything that they deem to be “fake news.”  Now Wheeler is espousing the same anti-speech nonsense in seeking to ban a conservative demonstration by a group called Patriot Prayer.

I have no idea what the Patriot Prayer group is but I truly do not care. It is a citizen group seeking to hold a public event.

Wheeler wants the event canceled due to the double murder committed by white supremacist Jeremy Christian.  He asked the federal government to revoke the permit of the group based on what he said was the expected hateful content of their speech. In doing so, Wheeler combines an unconstitutional denial of speech based on content with an unconstitutional act of prior restraint.

When confronted by his breathtaking lack of knowledge of (or respect for) the first amendment, Wheeler insisted that the group could be denied a permit based on his view anything that they said would be hateful.

Organizer Joey Gibson denied any connection to Christian and said that the group previously expelled him.

 

Once again, the content of the speech is less important than their right to speak.  Wheeler is advocating the type of speech regulation that has destroyed free speech in Europe. His views on free speech are far more threatening than anything that this small group might say.  Indeed, it is discomforting that a major city would be headed by someone with this type of dismissive attitude toward the core defining right of free speech in the United States.

159 thoughts on “Portland Mayor Demands Feds Bar Conservative Group From Speaking”

  2. The predictor’s are moving the herd in the direction they want them to go.

  4. The deal is if local governments feel there is going to be a need for paramilitary style crowd control then they have created a need for that kind of force unit. They then request grants or straight line subsidy like equipment and training or both supplied by the feds.If they feel they have the threat then they deploy those forces. Those forces need to train. The more the forces deploy, the more they need to train, the more support they get from the governmentIE: funding into the local economy. The only problem is the locals need to constantly find an excuse to use those forces.
    Just a hunch but I bet his honor is looking for some funds and unfortunately the target of his need of use of paramilitary force is conservatives.

    http://www.nationalreview.com/article/376053/united-states-swat-john-fund

  5. I am not sure Oregon ever got a copy of the Constitution. If and when the 9th Circus splits, Oregon and Washington will be staying with California. The rest of the West will find a new home.

    1. You’re confusing ‘Oregon’ with greater Portland. The majority of the population in Oregon (55%+) is exurban, small town, and rural, and not particularly affluent. Another 13% or thereabouts live in one of 5 provincial cities. About a quarter live in Portland or its tract-suburbs and another 4% live around Eugene where the state university is.

  6. I am really sick of these self styled liberals who never met a tyranny they wouldn’t embrace. He does not respect the Constitution. He does not have the right to prevent this group’s freedom of speech or assembly. He has the right to not attend. He has the right to mount a counter protest. He has the right to write a letter to the editor. He has the right to speak out in any forum. He has the right to artistic expression against the beliefs of the group.

    Instead, this jerk chooses fascism. He does not support our Constitution and he does not support the rights of all our citizens, whether he agrees with them or not. Destroying freedom of speech is just what the oligarchy wants from its minions. He can be a mindless authoritarian on his own time. Portland should vote him out ASAP.

  7. The comments by some on this blog prove my point. Hate speech laws are coming to the U.S. and opposing them will get one labeled a “hater”. I would respect these advocates more if they would just admit they support these laws, instead of the subterfuge.

    In my generation, it was commonly thought, “while I might not agree with what you say, I will defend your right to say it”. Not the common sentiment today. There are serious academics (such as Professor Alexander Tsesis), political figures and particularly millennials support such laws. Like I previously stated, things do not occur in a vacuum and as the free speech generation passes on, the likelihood of their adoption increases.

    I guess that makes me a bigot for opposing the “tide of progress” these laws will represent.

  8. Pingback: Portland Mayor Demands Feds Bar Conservative Group From Speaking | Freedom & Liberty Blog

  9. Have you seen the confrontations in Portland mimiacing Berkeley. The Portland police in riot gear arresting. those shutting down buses and rail? This doesn’t Rule the day against speech but it does give some background. How do balance a budget while being a Mecca for leftist and rightist who want to brawl? Its not ‘bleeding Kansas (abolitionist fight before civil war) level, but its real enough. Mr Turkey has documented student disrespect for faculty. May I suggest some social cohesion among citizens is breaking-down.

    1. My autocorrect : Turley not embarrassing (conceivably disrespectful “turkey”

  10. There is something WEIRD happening, in that State.
    It’s been going on for some time.

    Maybe it’s something in the air or in the water but they are all losing the few marbles they had.!!

  11. The Klan just announced that they wish to come to George Washington University School of Law to speak out on issues of race. Jonathan: are you opposed?

    1. no, because some colleges allowed black panthers to speak. If they allow one group then they should allowed another group. Just because you believe that others opinions are wrong and hateful does not mean you have the right to shut them down. I believe anyone has the right to spread hate towards others as long as no one threatens others’ lives. What people like you and this mayor is doing is spreading hate within its self. You are trying to cater to the crybabies that can not handle the truth.

    2. That would be wonderful for the GWU
      To study the origins of the Democratic party early Klan members and the modern Klan. And the great cover up.
      The snowflakes need to learn how to formulate great opposing questions to their speakers they disagree with instead of shouting and wetting their diapers.

      https://youtu.be/noiAciwFajc

      1. Exactly. It’s a button pushing mentality. Quick hit the delete button and all of your worries and ugly things go away. Refresh your phantom images of your own happiness provenance and you can go back to your little imaginary virtual safe zone.
        Shoo bad people, shoo.

  12. What does Oregon state law state? Do Portland city ordinances apply?

    Would this event be inciting to riot?

    Sorry Turley, but state laws do place some restrictions on speech acts.

    1. Oh, it is scheduled for federal property. Not much the mayor can do except surround the plaza with riot police. Unless the governor calls up the National Guard.

  13. Maybe Mayor Wheeler can instead recruit Kathy Griffin to bring forth the head of John Milton.

  15. The Democrats have to try to shut up conservative speakers for the same reason the supporters of the Naked Emperor wanted to shut up the little boy who cried, “The Emperor isn’t wearing any clothes!”

    Because the Democrats can’t have anybody showing how stupid their various ideas and machinations are. If you can’t beat someone in a battle of brains, then you have to use force, like the Democrats.

    If you keep voting for Democrats, then this is what you are supporting – a bunch of “fascists.”

    Squeeky Fromm
    Girl Reporter

    1. Don’t visit Portland. ,,,,not your style. Philippines is where it is at for you.

      1. I’ve been to both, I preferred the Philippines. Subic Bay, Grande Island, Gaine’s Beach, great food. Sailing. Snorkeling. But then again that was in the 80’s.

        1. As much as you like Trump, Duterte might suit you just fine. The immigration appears to be flowing to the USA from the Phiippines and not the reverse.

          1. What makes you think I like Trump? A more accurate statement would be I like the fact he is not Clinton. There Joe, fixed it for you.

  16. The United States will have European style hate speech laws in another 20 – 30 years. The First Amendment will exist but will all sorts of exceptions carved out. And decent liberals (like Turley) who still believe in free speech for unpopular groups will be viewed as those who still believe marriage to be between a man and a woman – run out of polite society, fired from their jobs, put on an $PLC ‘hatewatch’ list, all while the mainstream media and academia rejoices.

    It is coming and you can count on it! Things such as this occur gradually and not in a vacuum.

    1. Good comment, Antonio. And how are those anti blasphemy hate speech laws working for those Europeans?

      1. Nick, Doesn’t Isaac always tell how for ahead/superior the Euro’s are?

        2. Jim, The Canadian Rain Man thinks EVERYTHING in Europe is better. He stated, and this is no lie, the best BBQ is in France. He is almost too easy to rip. I hold my fire more often than not, merely out of pity.

    2. Only if the rest of us sit idly by. If you are content with twiddling your thumbs and being merely an observer of the events transpiring around you, you are just going to have to be content being oppressed, I guess. I’m not, nor are a great many others.

      1. Linda

        Why don’t we just get a divorce? La Raza will be demanding such in the Southwest in about 50 years.

        I welcome the breakup of this ever-increasing 3d world country we are becoming.

    1. Townhall has its’ point of view–and that’s fine. But bashing Islam and undermining the Justice System is not the answer. It feeds into the frenzy that unfortunately President Trump has been an instigator of repeatedly. Let the justice system run its’ course.

        1. I suggest you read up on “Letter to Baghdadi” or the writings of the founder of Zayutna college…or listen to the King of Jordan’s speech at the Riyadh Conference….not listen ….those who claim to do any acts of terrorism under any faith are not believers……

      2. One has nothing to do with the other. They raise excellent questions that should be part of a journalist’s investigation, but there aren’t many Sharyl Attiksson’s left in newsrooms.

      3. But bashing Islam and undermining the Justice System is not the answer. I

        The ‘Justice system’ (more precisely, the appellate courts) have been turned into a shallow political instrument by people like you. Liquidation, not undermining, is the appropriate response.

        As for ‘bashing Islam’, some of the people present here have had to patiently put up with lies, social fictions, and general vitriol from people like you for about four decades now, but you tell us your delicate sensibilities cannot handle Robert Spencer.

        Look in the mirror, twit.

        1. If anyone needs to have a look in the mirror, it is you. You’re also entitled to your opinion, not your facts. As for “lies, social fictions , etc.”…please cite specifics with references……the problem with your view is that when someone tries to address you folks reasonably, folks like you resort to insults, misdirections/etc–and if you think by insulting you’re proving your point, have at it “twit” and make sure you look real hard in your mirror…Cheers….

  20. The doer waqs a Bernie Sanders whack job. The Mayor is an enabler of left wing fascism.

    1. I guess, then, if one is a enable of right-wing fascism and conspiracy theories (as Sean Hannity has been which you imply is OK) that’s fine…but for a Mayor (whom it appears Professor Turley does not agree with his political views) speaks out of concern for his City, he’s a “liberal” (whatever that means)..and he’s accused of “left-wing fascism”. On a side note, some interesting “food 4 thought” 4 all..and I am sure all will dismiss this as another “Left Wing nonsense”….but if the same thing appeared in Briebart, you all will jump to it…also, let’s note that the ACLU has come out against the Mayor on this (so much for the ACLU being a bastion of the liberal left and a favorite target of Bill O”Reilly).
      Let’s try and rise above it all…for the sake of our children and grand children….Hopefully the President is able to set the tone…but judging from his tweeting, I doubt it…….
      Cheers to all 🙂

      http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2017/03/21/culture/politics/6-exceptions-to-freedom-of-speech.html

      1. Free speech would be a far greater legacy to create for our children (and ‘think of the children!’ is the weakest sauce imaginable. They won’t be children forever, neither will their children, and the sane among us would hope we have given them the tools to be fair and ethical adults). I honestly believe that people like you are addicted to comfort. You are cowards. You do not get to decide how other people live their lives any more than they do yours (which I doubt very much you would appreciate). We do all have to respect one another and learn to live together. It’s time for you and others like you to grow up, the self-construct you call reality is far too easy a bubble to pop. Put your feet back on earth where the rest of us live if you would like to participate in creating a world that works for all of us. I double dog dare you to engage in a real act of generosity and fellowship for someone you disagree with instead of hiding behind the rhetoric of imagined moral rectitude.

        Does it surprise anyone that this comes to us from the west coast? An awful lot of liberals in this country have become such a bad caricature of themselves it is literally impossible to take them seriously. Fourteen year-olds’ hormonally fuelled temper tantrums actually make more sense at this point. The irony of fighting hate through hatred and arrogance would be hilarious if it weren’t so sad.

      2. You are right about Turley. If his goal was objectivity he would have included a post about Stephanie Saul’s article in the NYT. Saul highlights the issue- Young America’s Foundation pays speakers to spew their views on college campuses. Speakers like Robert Spencer are the result of the funding of Charles and David Koch and the Amway DeVos family. Spencer was cited repeatedly, in the manifesto of the Norwegian nationalist who shot and killed 77 innocent kids at a camp- kids who didn’t want to live in a world filled with the hate of the richest 0.1%. No gathering of civilized people should have Spencer present. Just because the oligarchy wants to invade campuses to undermine democracy, doesn’t mean they should be welcomed anymore than barbarians at the gate should be allowed entrance.

        1. Just because the oligarchy wants to invade campuses to undermine democracy, doesn’t mean they should be welcomed anymore than barbarians at the gate should be allowed entrance.

          Too late. The invasion has been ongoing for decades with many sitting as professors and administrators.

        2. Strange as it may seem to you, the contributors to the Young America’s Foundation and the Brothers Koch have a franchise to pool their resources and promote what they please in the public square. So does anyone else.

          I assume you’re untroubled by the activities of George Soros.

          1. Too many sacrificed too much for American democracy, to allow the richest 0.1% to replace the U.S. government with oligarchy. Lincoln’s warning about the divine right of kings gaining ground in the United States should have been heeded and led to imprisonment for treason, for those who have denied voting rights, those who corrupt the process with money….
            Do they teach false equivalencies in alt-right school or does it reflect a natural defect among its members?
            Tobacco corporate spending on politics is nothing like a worker collective that elects representatives to decide which public policies to advocate for millions of workers. Its sacrilege of the free enterprise system, for corporations to take profits from consumers and use them to buy legislation, instead of using the money to improve products or lower prices.

            1. Its sacrilege of the free enterprise system, for corporations to take profits from consumers and use them to buy legislation, instead of using the money to improve products or lower prices.

              Why? In a free enterprise system, doesn’t the corporation have a fiduciary responsibility to the shareholders to seek legislation (policy) that increases shareholder equity? If the shareholders deem what the board is doing with the profits is not in their best interest, they will voice that through their vote or divest themselves from that corporation, correct? The consumers will also have a voice by speaking with their wallets. If the consumer does not like the quality of the product/service and/or they don’t value the cost, then in the free market system, the corporation will need to pivot or suffer the consequences.

              So why do you consider it sacrilegious?

              1. If the system was working as you describe, Trump would not have won the election.

    2. what is your definition of “left wing”? If you consider the Clintons left wingers, I’d be curious to know how you square that with their long history of supporting legislation, wars, invasions and coups.

        2. +1. Those who believe the Clintons are other than from the center (tactically, of course, but more accurately from the) right are part of the class that’s convinced itself it’s just this side of Charles Koch’s hedgerow holding the trimmers and inexplicably believes in the caste system. In other words, they like the rigid social stratification where merit succumbs to who one knows.

          https://peopledotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/donald-hillary-800.jpg?w=800&h=600&crop=1

          1. ” In other words, they like the rigid social stratification where merit succumbs to who one knows”

            Oh, you mean like Affirmative Action??? Where merit succumbs to what color/sex/orientation one is???

            Squeeky Fromm
            Girl Reporter

        3. Anon-

          What’s the basis for saying they’re center? Center right? What does that mean? Other than rhetoric about women’s rights, how are the Clinton positions any different than MITCH McConnel, J. McCain et al.?

          1. Centrists on healthcare, climate change, reproductive freedom, Social Security and Medicare but right wing on defense and national security.

            1. The point of political terminology is to make a shorthand which allows actual human beings to understand you without spelling certain things out at paragraph length. Your terminology would only be understood by your circle jerk so is useless.

            2. Respectfully: please explain to readers in scientific and/or physiological terms only (no legal mumbo jumbo), exactly and specifically what separates your humanity from that of a zygote (a single-celled human being by any other name)?

              1. Neither Trumps nor Clintons have been convicted of felonies thus far. Both families have the best legal counsel money can buy. Jared hired Clinton’s legal counsel. All concerned have sociopathic tendencies to some degree.

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