Seriously, a rodeo clown mocking POTUS Obama is what liberals get upset over. Not Benghazi, IRS abuses, NSA spying, Fast and Furious, etc. No, a rodeo clown. Look, I will say that it was a dumb stunt. Inappropriate. Leave the politics out of non-political things. I don’t want to see politics while watching sports or other events. But, libs can’t let this minor tiff go, hence CNN solicited Judy Quest, a board member and past president of Clowns Of America International to make the raaaaacism cause
It was a sad day in the clown world when a “clown” at the Missouri State Fair put on a mask in the likeness of President Barack Obama and wore a broomstick attached to his behind to perform in a rodeo in America’s Heartland.
Some would ask: How this is different from late-night pundits making mocking comments about every political person alive? It is different in that it goes against everything a clown stands for and makes fun of our president in a way that is truly offensive on so many levels.
Anyone get the feeling that if the clown wore a Bush 43 mask things would be copacetic? She goes on to note that the clown code of ethics is against offending people or something, and
This mean no sexual or racial humor. The joke always needs to be on us and never on an audience member. If someone is offended or made the “victim” of a joke, it is totally against what the clown community would consider funny.
So, raaaaacism.
What of the children who were in the audience and being taught to respect our president and government? What of every person in the audience who hates racism? What of the officials of the state of Missouri who are now the focus of national attention in this negative light?
Right. Respect for government and a president that doesn’t respect Americans. What of the clowns right to his free speech and to not be fired and blackballed for it? Oh, and raaaaacism.
The Free Speech clause is all about protecting political free speech that we don’t like, something Matt Bernius at the squishy Outside The Beltline doesn’t get. First he yammers on about the rodeo being state sponsored and funded, then
Others have attempted to say that this is a violation of free speech rights. This is a problematic understanding of the First Amendment. The clown was allowed to complete the skit. The “speech†happened. He’s not being thrown in jail or forced to pay a direct fine. What the First Amendment does not protect one from is the ramifications of one’s words — in particular firings or rather not hiring in the future. And why? Because his performance (a) embarrassed his employer and (b) ultimately caused damage to their reputation.
Except, this is exactly what the Free Speech clause is about, the ability to speak out against Government and not have the government retaliate. And the government is retaliating.
Remember when dissent was patriotic and we were allowed to disagree and mock the POTUS?
