Free Speech Area

Saw this a few days ago at a local shopping center, and figured I should make some comments

Now, no one could ever really call me a friend to hippies, protesters, or any of the other subsets of society that enjoy using and abusing the Constitution of the United States only when it serves their interests, yet never lifting a finger to support it in any other way, however, I am not altogether sure that I approve of this solution.

The right to free speech should not be relegated to a designated area. I am all for property rights, and the rights of business owners to cater to consumers, but this does not mean that they (or the city... or whatever government entity you choose) can limit the rights of others. No, there should be no soliciting or protesting or pandering for signitures inside any privately own (or rented, or leased, establishments, as property rights extend to those as well) and there can certainly be restrictions on blocking sidewalks, doorways, etc. but these caviats and addendums should be kept to a list of places where someone's right to free speech might impede on the rights of others (consumers, shop owners, etc)

Rather than an individual's right to free speech be regulated to a 10" x 4" designated area, I think that it should simply be understood that there are places where someone's right to do business takes precident. If necesary, post signs defining THESE areas, not limiting something protected in our bill of rights.

5000!

So apparently a few days ago, this little blog of mine surpassed 5000 hits! I know to some major writers/bloggers out there, this is nothing, and they get that number in a day. These people blog professionally, and are typically associated with a Yahoo or Google news site that sponsors their links. Thats cool and all, but it is certainly not my case. I am a member of a few forums where I have links to my page, and I write about interesting topics - which apparently come up in google searches, plus a lot of my friends and people that I know take a valid interest in what I have to say. This, I think, is pretty exciting, as it proves that people actually read what I write, and I'm not just going through the motions out of vanity. Combine this milestone with a few comments and emails I have received recently about the quality content of my writing, and my shared opinions, and I am really pleased with this little venture - even if it isn't making me any money, I am getting my stuff out there, and that is important too.

Hope you continue to enjoy my page, and hope to hear from you all while on the way to 10,000!

~Marshall
DTOM - ATW