Discussion 4: Whose Freedom of Speech? Walker v. Texas Division, Son of Confederate Veterans
I found this discussion topic to be interesting, especially where it examines protecting the right of free speech at the state/government agency level. We always hear about protecting the rights of the private individual, but what about protecting the rights of the state?
After reading the case description and the different perspectives listed for each side, my initial argument sided with the Texas SCV. It is unfortunate that a flag from our American history can stir such negativity and create additional discord among people even today. Even more disappointing, is the fact that we can’t look beyond a symbol from the past and see that it’s more …show more content…
After reading an article from The New York Times concerning Justice Breyer’s statement that he wrote on the behalf of the majority, the specialty plate program, in which, Texas has a fair applicant review and approval rate, it is understandable where the plate displayed on the vehicle is somehow able to “suggest that the government endorses the messages” and where the Texas DMV would be right to be concerned. (The New York Times article, “Supreme Court Says Texas Can Reject Confederate Flag License Plates”, written by Adam Liptak, June 18, 2015) Texas State issued vehicle license plates are the property of the Texas DMV and therefore they need to be in effective control of their state issued documents. From a story by the Associated Press; then curated by Dave Urbanski, “... license plates are government property, and so what appears on them is not the private individuals’ speech but the government’s. The First Amendment applies when the government tries to regulate the speech of others, but not when governments are doing the talking.” (“Confederate Battle Flag on a Texas License Plate? Supreme Court to Hear Contentious Free Speech Case”, written by Dave Urbanski (http://theblaze.com/author/dave-urbanski/) March 22,
I found this discussion topic to be interesting, especially where it examines protecting the right of free speech at the state/government agency level. We always hear about protecting the rights of the private individual, but what about protecting the rights of the state?
After reading the case description and the different perspectives listed for each side, my initial argument sided with the Texas SCV. It is unfortunate that a flag from our American history can stir such negativity and create additional discord among people even today. Even more disappointing, is the fact that we can’t look beyond a symbol from the past and see that it’s more …show more content…
After reading an article from The New York Times concerning Justice Breyer’s statement that he wrote on the behalf of the majority, the specialty plate program, in which, Texas has a fair applicant review and approval rate, it is understandable where the plate displayed on the vehicle is somehow able to “suggest that the government endorses the messages” and where the Texas DMV would be right to be concerned. (The New York Times article, “Supreme Court Says Texas Can Reject Confederate Flag License Plates”, written by Adam Liptak, June 18, 2015) Texas State issued vehicle license plates are the property of the Texas DMV and therefore they need to be in effective control of their state issued documents. From a story by the Associated Press; then curated by Dave Urbanski, “... license plates are government property, and so what appears on them is not the private individuals’ speech but the government’s. The First Amendment applies when the government tries to regulate the speech of others, but not when governments are doing the talking.” (“Confederate Battle Flag on a Texas License Plate? Supreme Court to Hear Contentious Free Speech Case”, written by Dave Urbanski (http://theblaze.com/author/dave-urbanski/) March 22,