IN FOR A ROUGH TIME

THE FLAG STANDS FOR FREEDOM, OR IT STANDS FOR NOTHING

 Saturday, 8:00 AM.  40 degrees f at the ferry dock, 42 on the back porch.  Wind variable, calm with light gusts.  The humidity is 88%, the barometer 30.67" and fairly steady.  There is a chance of rain showers by Monday, but today is beautiful and a great melting day.
   Whose speech is free, and whose speech is curtailed, or suppressed?  The protesters (I wonder how many were paid to be there) at last night's Trump rally in Chicago had free speech, Mr. Trump and his potential audience did not.  We either have freedom of expression, which includes the freedom to listen, or we do not.  If it is selective it is denied to all.
   Our First Amendment rights have been curtailed in many ways by the present administration; through intimidation, ridicule, and selective use of the legal system, the IRS and other branches of government.  Is it any wonder, then, that supporters of the administration and their street thugs should perceive themselves to have the right to deny others their right to speak, and be listened to?
   We are harvesting the bitter fruits of an administration that has sewn hatred, bigotry, ridicule, and the suppression of the constitutional rights of its opposition for years.  People are fed up.
   We are in for a rough time.