Man choked and arrested at public meeting.

Not exactly.

Everyone should be made to read your constitution and your bill of rights. They are some of the most interesting and beautifully crafted documents in the world, but also some of the most misunderstood and misused.

Freedom of speech does not mean "I can say what I want, where I want, whenever I want, to whoever I want." If it did, you would be able to call the White House and say "I'm coming to kill the president" and not be arrested. You could say your boss fucks kids and not get sued into poverty for slander.

What it does mean is you can say "I don't like my government" and not be killed for it. You can say "I think all Americans should have the right to >insert legal activity <" and not be targeted. You can say "The President is/was an idiot" (not looking to start an argument about which president is the example) and not be thrown in jail for it.

Swearing in public / breach of the peace / cause offence or affront ot whatever it's called in your area is a crime. He had the right to speak but he had the responsibility to remain civil while doing so. He was even given a warning first.

It's obvious the arrest was way over the top and shouldn't have happened, but if you give the bad guy bullets you can't be surprised when he shoots you.

/r/PublicFreakout Thread Parent Link - twitter.com