This Doesn’t Look Like Freedom to Me.

I have noticed that the way things are done in our great country are changing, and they are changing for the worse.  There was a time in the United States when we were a free people and could do anything we wanted as long as it did not hurt anyone or break any laws.  Unfortunately, we are beginning to see our liberties taken away by jack booted thugs in our government.  The following two stories are an illustration of what I mean. 

The first story comes from the New York Post on July 8, 2012 (1).  Most of us are aware of the decision by New York City Mayor Bloomberg to ban table salt in restaurants and limiting sugary soft drinks to 16 ounces.  I live in Phoenix where it was 111 today, just a typical summer day in Phoenix.  A 16-ounce soft drink does not even begin to quench your thirst in that heat because you are sweating it out as fast as you drink it. 

However, what happened to Caroline Stern and her boyfriend George Hess makes this look like child’s play and should make us all concerned, especially those of you living in New York City.  After a night at the Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night’s Swing, Caroline and George were waiting for the train.  While waiting they heard a musician playing steel drums and began dancing.  This does not seem like unusual behavior especially since they had just left a jazz festival and had probably been dancing to some of the music they heard at the festival. 

What happened next seems like something that you would hear about from Communist Russia back in the 60’s.  According to Caroline, two police officers approached the couple and asked what they were doing.  When they said they were dancing, the officers asked for ID.  Caroline produced her only form of identification, a credit card which had her picture on it.  However, that did not satisfy the officers and they asked them to come with them.  Things then got ugly when Caroline began filming the encounter.  It was then that the officers called for backup and eight additional officers showed up, tackled Caroline to the platform floor, slapping the cuffs on them both. 

The couple was detained for 23 hours before charges were dropped.  I guess you cannot dance in New York anymore unless you are able to show an appropriate government ID.  Makes me wonder if you have to show ID to vote in New York City but that’s a story for a future posting. 

The next story comes from closer to my home.  The story comes from The Right Scoop website from July 9, 2012 (2).  As a Christian I usually get up early in the morning and spend time reading my Bible and praying prior to beginning my workday.  I find this gives me the proper focus for the day and makes the day go much better.  We also read the Bible and pray together as a family.  This is an important part of my faith and something protected by the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution.  If my facts are correct I believe that Arizona was admitted as the 48^th state on February 14, 1912 so the rights of citizens of Arizona are protected by the U.S. Constitution. 

However, after hearing what happened to this man in my home town of Phoenix, I may have been mistaken.  I guess private Bible Studies in one’s own home are not covered by the first amendment and can result in jail time.  For this man it will mean 60 days in jail.  Since I doubt this man’s living comes from conducting Bible Studies, he will no doubt lose his job or business income while serving his jail time.  I guess the city hopes he will lose his home and that will end his “illegal” Bible Studies.  Makes me wonder how soon before they will require some type of special permit to read the Bible or pray at home. 

These two stories illustrate one thing, our government is way too big and is beginning to intrude in the private harmless activities of citizens.  A couple waiting on a train after enjoying a jazz concert should be free to dance when they hear music on a train platform.  A man should be free to invite friends over to his house for a private Bible study without having to pay for special permits or face jail time.  What next, will I need a food permit for my next Super Bowl, or Birthday party? 

Our Founding Fathers fought the Revolutionary War to escape such oppression.  We too need to take up the fight but not with guns, with our votes.  We must vote out all big government politicians at both the Federal and local level in order to remain a free people.  I am inviting all of my fellow political avengers to take up the fight this November and begin trimming back our oppressive tyrannical federal and local governments. 

1. Boniello, Kathianne. Couple handcuffed, jailed for dancing on subway platform: lawsuit. nypost.com. [Online] New York Post, July 8, 2012. [Cited: July 11, 2012.] http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/waltz_the_charge_officer_8jQ7kbvZwVhaU4PxNi917K.

2. The Right Scoop. Pastor to be jailed for holding church services on his private property. thefightscoop.com. [Online] The Right Scoop, July 9, 2012. [Cited: July 11, 2012.] http://www.therightscoop.com/pastor-to-be-jailed-for-holding-church-services-on-his-private-property-2/.