The right to Free Speech and Peaceably Assemble
POSTED BY: FellowTraveler
UPDATED: Friday, April 24, 2026 16:14
VIEWED: 13695
PAGE 2 of 13
another thought-- maybe they oughtta partner this dude with a black trooper who has seniority on him,
stick 'em both in a black-n-white eight hours a day, six days a week, for like a year, in a high risk situation, and find out what he really believes, by how he reacts to that situation.
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Quote:
Originally posted by NewOldBrownCoat:
Isn't the Klan a criminal organization? Didn't Harry Truman infiltrate them in the 50's with the FBI? Wasn't it a crime back then , just to be a member? ( all of which I seem to remember, more or less, from when I studied history.) If so, aren't they probably still at least an outlaw organization?
So, should a government employee be allowed to be a member of an illegal organization?
And a second point, " the right to peaceably assemble." Maybe they don't riot or kill folk at meetings nowadays, but don't they burn crosses, which has a history as an act of violence and intimidation? And don't they advocate violence at those meetings?
I don't know if it is a criminal organization. Although, I know Mike Moore claimed so in "Bowling for Columbine". Was looking through Wikipedia entry on the KKK and (so far) I don't see anything saying it's illegal.
As for the FBI infiltrating the KKK, they did same the thing to the Peace and Civil Rights movements, so I'm not sure that matters.
And I've never been to a Klan meeting, so I don't know if they still advocate violence. But I think it is probably safe to assume so.
Edit- The peace and civil rights movements were considered extreme. Was it okay for Spelman College to fire Howard Zinn for being a member of those groups?
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By night a lyncher of the 'black' by day mild mannered impartially civil servant.
You should talk to DC Comics mate, seems like you've got a really twisted version of Superman going there.
Quote:Operative words I think.
"This trooper can join the KKK, but he can't remain a trooper while he is a member."
You can't be a member of a violent racist organisation and be expected to be put in a position of authority over people of a different race to yourself. The indication of incapabillity to impartiality is in the membership of a violent organisation, if he was capable of doing his job he would give up his KKK membership.
More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.
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id have to agree, there seems to be an obvious conflict of interests here. maybe if the nature of the KKK werent overtly discriminatory, but as it is... although i realize the question then becomes where do you draw the line? only there is no denying the KKK as a hate group; obiously an obstacle for inbiased justice and impartiality. maybe the doctrines of the KKK should be methodically scrutinized to see if a member can even coexist peacefully with all varieties of people
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Quote:
Originally posted by FellowTraveler:
Now, I know I have the right to free speech and to peaceably assemble, but do state workers?
State worker have the same rights as you do. They choose to limit their rights because of their voluntary affiliation with the government as an employee.
As an employee they must adhere to a code of conduct. Like any such code, it can be challenged in court on its own merits. Is mere membership and off duty participation enough to warrent being fired. Probably not. The State's action likely violates the code of conduct and union agreements, which is why he was rehired with back pay. They could make this a restriction, but they probably have not done so. I suspect that as long as his offensive conduct is
off duty, he should be ok.
H
Edited to add: The KKK may have a special distinction because of their history of violence and such. I'd have to look it up, but I seem to recall some cases along the lines of government/KKK affiliation.
H
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Many human beings live their lives with bigotry, prejudice, and hatred in there hearts and minds for one group or another. It could be religious, political, sexual orientation, or for the opposite sex. We are probably talking about 60% or more world wide. These people are Doctors, Lawyers, Politicians, and even police officers. They all have to take some sort of an oath. As long as they uphold that oath I couldn't care what their personal beliefs are, nor should you. Only when they put those beliefs before their duties should they have to answer to anyone about them.....Well, it's true
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State workers may have the same rights as everyone else, but I do think there should be a higher standard. Not everyone gets to carry a gun and badge, nor do they have the authority to arrest.
As a teacher, I am held to higher moral standards than average citizens, though we hold the same rights. There are things I could do 2 years ago, in my prior occupation, which I could get fired for now. A teacher was forced to resign last week because perfectly legal, artistic nude photos of her surfaced. She didn't do anything illeagal or wrong by the standards general citizens are held to, yet because of her occupation, she was forced to resign against her wishes.
I don't think it's unreasonable to hold police to higher standards as well.
"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."
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It really is amazing at how some KKK types try to spin their own racist views. They say they don't HATE the black ( or the Jew, chink, etc.. ) just as long as all those minorities stay with their own kind. Using that " logic ", I can see how a lawyer could make the case that a State Trooper could uphold his duties with no conflict of interest. Just as long as he doesn't have to deal w/ any inter-racial marriages. 
People love a happy ending. So every episode, I will explain once again that I don't like people. And then Mal will shoot someone. Someone we like. And their puppy. - Joss
" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "
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Yeah, I can just imagine how impartial he'd be when he pulled over a car with a mix-ed race couple.
"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."
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Quote:I can certainly agree with that.
Originally posted by AURaptor:
It really is amazing at how some KKK types try to spin their own racist views. They say they don't HATE the black ( or the Jew, chink, etc.. ) just as long as all those minorities stay with their own kind. Using that " logic ", I can see how a lawyer could make the case that a State Trooper could uphold his duties with no conflict of interest. Just as long as he doesn't have to deal w/ any inter-racial marriages.
More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.
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