Thursday, October 18th, 2007 | Author: Dana
The National Park Service performs an important role in preserving some of our wild areas for human enjoyment and conservation needs. Apparently, it also protects a small area to preserve our first amendment rights.
It is not a very big area, and if anyone were to take the park service up on their offer to host a demonstration, it would spill out onto the street pretty quickly. The speed limit here is only five miles per hour, anyway, so it is unlikely anyone would get hurt. I would add this to my sidebar as a nice reminder if it were not for one thing. I do not know if you can read it in this shot, but here is a close up:
How can you require a permit to use the first amendment?
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Welcome to Roscommon Acres, my little home in the country. I write here about life more abundantly, from the joy of a baby’s smile to the almost unbearable grief of losing a son. I am seeking beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of the spirit of despair (Isaiah 61:3).
Just place "Tiggy" in the subject line.
LOL! Oh my, that is funny. I wonder how much money was wasted in conceiving that sign?
It highlights to me exactly how far away from our original conception of rights we have come. If something is a right, it cannot be honored by setting aside a small patch where it can be practiced. And you can’t issue a permit for it.
This seems to assume that a right is something granted us by the government rather than as something we already have that the state is not supposed to infringe upon.
Where do you find these things?
I don’t know ~ everytime I see or read a news story about Fred Phelps I think, “Someone ought to shut him up!” Then sanity hits and I remember that I can’t have freedom unless there is freedom.
Also, do you think I could post a sign like that in my teenage daughter’s room?
I found this one at a visitor’s center in the Smokies. I don’t remember which one…I had to use the restroom too badly.
As to its appropriateness for your teenage daughter? Sure! Just make sure you point out that this is “in accordance with the provisions of CFR 2.52.” And that a permit is required.
You could even create free expression areas. So when she starts yelling, whining etc., you can just direct her to the appropriate location (preferably out of ear shot) and harmony will be restored.
you can just direct her to the appropriate location (preferably out of ear shot) and harmony will be restored.
I was thinking her room could be her free expression space. That way if I didn’t like what she was saying I could just close the door and leave. If she tried to open the door and follow me, I could just revoke her permit and let her know that I was establishing a dictatorship.
)
Now I get it. Yes, I think that works well.
This is for real? This is not a joke?
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW.
And Americans leave this stupid thing standing?
Yes, this is seriously for real. I took the picture myself.
But since you don’t know me, here is a group taking advantage of the area (it looks like they have a different sign now, however).
You will have to scroll down to “Earth Day protestors.”
Actually, I just discovered that if you do a search for the “First Amendment Free Expression Area” you will find a number of people who have been amused by this.
That is funny!
It reminds me of a time I heard a quote of a lady who was a head of some sort at a University. I wish I could find the quote and the person’s name, but it went something like this: “We will not tolerate people at this university saying that we don’t have freedom of speech here.”
ThirstyJon
freedomthirst.com
Kind of like the Protesters’ Cage that has become common at big political events. Sad that free speech can be constrained to a geographical area.
This sign was in Nebraska? If so, where!?
ThirstyJon, that is funny!
Rob, I agree. At first, it reminded me of Preacher’s Corner in London and I thought it was kind of cute. But the more I thought about it, the more it just seemed to not fit the US. I didn’t catch the “permit required” until I cropped it for this entry.
Angela, I’m sorry. I guess I did not actually put in the entry where it is. I saw it while we were on vacation in the Smokies. It is in Tennessee. I want to say at one of the visitor’s centers in Cade’s Cove, but I am not absolutely positive on that.
From website http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm
Sugarlands Visitor Center
Location
Inside the park, 2 miles south of Gatlinburg on US-441.
Available Facilities
Great Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. Public restrooms and telephones. Soda and water machines. Backcountry permit station.
**** I find it curious that on their available facilities they do not mention the ‘First Amendment Expression Area’.
I guess they don’t want you to know about it.
Hmm. This sign is an example of liberty with license — an obvious oxymoron. But oxymorons are just the problem; the tyrannical propagandists are morons who want us to be oxen in brains!
(I think I’m feeling for my power flask …)