There are fundamental rights that do not require a majority. Freedom of speech, Freedom of religion, Freedom of association and assembly, Freedom to bear arms, Freedom of the press, Right to due process, Right to property, Right to petition your government and the Right to privacy without a properly executed warrant. I would argue that many of these rights are being regularly trampled on by the liberals and socialists who control the Federal government. But as regards what happened in Walton County yesterday let's look at it:
1. Did the BCC honor the right to free speech? Yes, every person who wished to speak was afforded the opportunity.
2. Freedom of religion? Not applicable.
3. Freedom of association and assembly? Each group was able to gather outside the courthouse to rally their supporters and each group could associate with those they chose to.
4. Freedom to bear arms? Not applicable.
5. Freedom of the press? Numerous TV, print and internet media was present and freely reported on the proceedings. The BCC provided streaming video for those not in the room and were available for interviews before and after the meeting.
6. Right to due process? Those who wished to remove the flag were placed on the agenda, pleaded their case at 2 separate meetings and presented all the documentation and speakers that they chose to. Those who wished to keep the flag were allowed rebuttal and to present all their documentation and speakers.
7. Right to property? Not applicable.
8. Right to petition your government? Both sides presented petitions to the BCC and both sides were able to plead their case and present their position. The BCC heard over 2 hours of presentations by both sides and then discussed and voted on the position chosen in the Sunshine.
9. Right to privacy? Not applicable.
So, every freedom or right that applied to this situation was honored by the BCC. They bent over backwards to hear everyone and consider everyone. They then made a decision that did not totally please anyone but should leave anyone who wants to consider all viewpoints and represent everyone at least satisfied. Now those who wished for removal stand intransigent and have pulled their old tricks out of the bag. Threatening to harm the economy is going to first hurt those they claim to represent. They had all the state media, most of the state politicians, with the notable exception of Rep. Brad Drake, money, organization and momentum and they could not convince the majority of Walton County citizens to change their mind. That is not the fault of the 4 commissioners who were courageous enough to be there and make a decision that was going to cost them one way or the other. That is not "good ole boy" politics nor is that "chicken." That is political courage that you rarely see at any level. The "good ole boy" play would have been to listen and do nothing but adjourn.
1. Did the BCC honor the right to free speech? Yes, every person who wished to speak was afforded the opportunity.
2. Freedom of religion? Not applicable.
3. Freedom of association and assembly? Each group was able to gather outside the courthouse to rally their supporters and each group could associate with those they chose to.
4. Freedom to bear arms? Not applicable.
5. Freedom of the press? Numerous TV, print and internet media was present and freely reported on the proceedings. The BCC provided streaming video for those not in the room and were available for interviews before and after the meeting.
6. Right to due process? Those who wished to remove the flag were placed on the agenda, pleaded their case at 2 separate meetings and presented all the documentation and speakers that they chose to. Those who wished to keep the flag were allowed rebuttal and to present all their documentation and speakers.
7. Right to property? Not applicable.
8. Right to petition your government? Both sides presented petitions to the BCC and both sides were able to plead their case and present their position. The BCC heard over 2 hours of presentations by both sides and then discussed and voted on the position chosen in the Sunshine.
9. Right to privacy? Not applicable.
So, every freedom or right that applied to this situation was honored by the BCC. They bent over backwards to hear everyone and consider everyone. They then made a decision that did not totally please anyone but should leave anyone who wants to consider all viewpoints and represent everyone at least satisfied. Now those who wished for removal stand intransigent and have pulled their old tricks out of the bag. Threatening to harm the economy is going to first hurt those they claim to represent. They had all the state media, most of the state politicians, with the notable exception of Rep. Brad Drake, money, organization and momentum and they could not convince the majority of Walton County citizens to change their mind. That is not the fault of the 4 commissioners who were courageous enough to be there and make a decision that was going to cost them one way or the other. That is not "good ole boy" politics nor is that "chicken." That is political courage that you rarely see at any level. The "good ole boy" play would have been to listen and do nothing but adjourn.