from the Boulder Daily Camera
A Boulder city councilwoman said Monday she thinks the city violated the First Amendment rights of a longtime critic by cutting him off while he was speaking during public comment at last week's council meeting and then having him arrested when he protested.
But wait, there's more:
Morzel and other city officials are also troubled that someone, apparently a council member, scratched on a microphone while Brigham was speaking. The noise could be heard washing out Brigham's voice both in the council chambers and on Boulder Channel 8, which broadcast the meeting live.
...
Some council members agreed that the leaders also need to have a discussion about who has the authority to direct city police to remove someone from a council meeting.
The council earlier this year agreed that the mayor should manage its meetings. But some council members said newcomer Karakehian was the one who motioned for the officer to intervene.
So one council member anonymously disrupted Seth's speech and "no one" asked the police to remove him. Gee, that's transparent government.
Look people, free speech is not about protecting speech you find agreeable - that needs no protection. Free speech is about protecting speech you find abhorrent. If you are unwilling to hear people tell you you're an idiot - resign. Because that's part of the job of an elected official.
And to the one(s) that scratched the mic, told Seth to change the subject, and/or told the police to remove him - you screwed up. And you need to apologize - to Seth. (A real apology, not a Diggs Brown sort-of/not really mumble.) And the Council should offer Seth 10 minutes of presentation time and give him their undivided attention.
