Comments on: Del. Emmett Burns to Baltimore Ravens: silence that troublesome player

By: Michael Ejercito

Michael Ejercito — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 02:29:38 +0000

This is a chance for conservatives to show that they were standing on free speech principle in the Chick-Fil-A affair rather than just pursuing Culture War predilections.

One of them took the chance.

That second paragraph is actually rather concerning. The state legislator is 100 percent correct on the same-sex “marriage” issue, but I don’t think it is proper for a state legislator’s to tell a private company to ‘inhibit’ the free expression of its employees or to tell those employees to ‘cease and desist’ from making statements the legislator disagrees with. Just like it was not proper for the mayors of Boston and Chicago to tell Chik-fil-A to stop talking about biblical marriage. The fact that this legislator is on the right side of the underlying issue, while the mayors of Boston and Chicago were on the wrong side of the issue, is irrelevant. Government officials have no business telling any private individual or business to stop expressing their opinion, regardless of whether that opinion is right or wrong.

By: txpatriot

txpatriot — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 22:40:11 +0000

I’m a Christian, a Conservative and a Republican.

I believe in traditional marriage but I also support the First Amendment and this player’s right to speak his mind. I denounce the Delegate’s letter.

OTOH, I’m a nobody so I guess my opinion doesn’t count.

By: Jean

Jean — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:14:50 +0000

Maryland delegate Burns was wrong when he tried to intimidate First Amendment rights, and he is still wrong in trying to quash equal marriage rights for everyone in Maryland. Please protect all families and vote for equal rights for everyone.

By: robert

robert — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 19:50:21 +0000

I am in a same-sex marriage. And I feel that attempts by the Government to shut-up Chick-Fil-A were just as wrong as attempts by the Government to shut up Ayanbadejo.

It’s also worth pointing out that Emmet Burns is a DEMOCRAT! So people shouldn’t blame “conservatives” for this.

By: Lawmaker Bullies Employer Because Its Employee Supported Gay Marriage

Lawmaker Bullies Employer Because Its Employee Supported Gay Marriage — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 14:05:24 +0000

[…] of that last week with a bullying letter to a sports team, the Baltimore Ravens, telling it to gag a player who supports gay marriage. His letter to the owner of the team (which did not even spell the player’s name […]

By: Ron Miller

Ron Miller — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 13:18:56 +0000

Walter, that’s right. But when it comes to govt flexing its muscle, on some level it is a “I know it when I see it” type thing. I don’t think anyone at the Ravens thought, “Gee, how should we respond to this? I’m worried if we don’t bend to this single delegate who can barely write a letter, the Ravens will suffer.” But, yeah, I could alter the facts a little and give you more cause for concern.

Ultimately, tho, individual legislatures have free speech rights too.

By: Conservatives Silent on Elected Official’s Attempts to Censure Pro-Gay-Marriage Views — IGF Culture Watch

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 03:34:12 +0000

[…] overlawyered.com, Walter Olson notes that conservatives who denounced the Boston mayor and Chicago alderman for menacing Chick-Fil-A […]

By: Lawmaker tries to shut up linebacker, cont’d - Overlawyered

Lawmaker tries to shut up linebacker, cont’d - Overlawyered — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 18:00:07 +0000

[…] got a post at Maryland for All Families following up on the free-speech controversy that flared up when Del. Emmett Burns, a Democratic lawmaker in Annapolis, wrote to the owner of the Baltimore […]

By: wfjag

wfjag — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 02:58:46 +0000

Still, this is Maryland, a very liberal state, not North Carolina, which just voted in a traditional marriage amendment. When money is needed for electioneering expenses, Burns’ position will “evolve”. And, if it doesn’t, then like former Congressman Davis, formerly of Alabama, someone who is in step with Dem family values will be found to challenge Burns in the primary. Although there are many issues on which even a back bencher in a state legislature holds the stronger hand, here, however, Burns will unite against himself gays, local team football fans, and the national leadership of his own party.

By: Advice Goddess Blog

Advice Goddess Blog — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 18:43:23 +0000

Abuse Of Government Office To Try To Silence Free Speech…

Maryland Assemblyman Emmett C. Burns wrote a letter asking that the owner of the Baltimore Ravens take steps to silence the free speech of one of his players……