June 05, 2003

Free Speech?

Gay Days a Disney is approaching and, as usual, the rabid religious righties are all up in arms. About what? The new anti-terrorism laws restrict flights over Disney, as the US Government has declared Disney World a 'symbolic target'. IE, The government views it as a possibility that if terrorists wanted to do something crazy, crashing a plane into, or using a plane to release gasses over, Disney would be a good crazy thing to do. So they've restricted flights.

According to the Advocate The Virginia-based Family Policy Network plans to sue claiming that restricting flights over Disney restricts their free speech.

I think I speak for everyone when I say - WHAT? I don't understand how they can't see the futility of this move. First of all, I'm not sure that the courts are willing to risk safety measures in order for someone to fly a 'Jesus loves you, unless you're gay in which you can go straight to hell' banner behind a plane. Second of all if, god forbid, they do win - what does this mean in the greater picture? Can I then fly a small plane with a anti-Bush message over the white house? Or do free speech claims only count if it's an amusement park. What about Manhattan?

I wonder if I could fly a plan of the FPN headquarters with a banner that says 'Grow up'?

Comments:
Posted by Henry at 09:05 AM || Link to me || Category:: Law, Just Left On