Well, if this doesn’t wake up all those Jewish Bubbies and Zeidies that retired long ago to that “stand your ground” shithole, and that find themselves voting for all those rabid rightwing Republican candidates these days, and now having to pay for little goober nazis and white redneck supremacists, I don’t know what will. It sure is a long way from being that FDR Democrat of old, that’s for sure.
Sorry, folks. I’ve reached my fill for today and its only around 10 AM…
Btw, is Zinke and this little nazi, friends? Seems like a strange coincidence that they’re both from Whitefish, Montana, doesn’t it?
Every time I think Spencer ought to get the bill for this (and I still kinda think he should) I remember that if that happens, the next time an environmental or anti-racist or LGBTQ activist gives a talk somewhere, the altholes will come out in force and the costs may be the same.
(I think the difference is that Spencer is part of the violent group that makes the security necessary, but that’s hard to prove.)
great use of Floridians tax money, especially during a hurricane recovery
I’m all for free speech, even that which upsets others (and the others free speech to respond), but $600k for a marginal speaker (at best)? Gotta be some common sense somewhere, this asshole really doesn’t have anything of value to say that he can’t screech from a street corner or on a daily stormer comments page
What qualifications does Spencer have to speak at university? Does he hold advanced degrees in a specialized field and does he have numerous academic peer-reviewed publications?
It seems to me, now that we have an actual record of costs, that he should be welcome to any public venue, provided he puts up a substantial bond and pays the security costs out of the event’s proceeds.
You know, the way presidential campaigns, up 'til Spankee’s, reimbursed local law enforcement for the costs of their visits.
ETA: Free speech means you’re able to say it, not have others pay for it.
Who caused this expense? Was the security because the speaker was going to whip his listeners into a destructive frenzy so security was needed after the speech to stop them, or was the security because certain anti-free-speech thugs threatened violence and destruction to prevent the speech?
It seems pretty clear that the people who cost the taxpayers all this money were the people who threatened violence to prevent the speech, not Richard Spencer. The bill should be sent to ANTIFA, they are the ones who turned a simple public address into a violent confrontation.
Do we value open discourse and free speech so little that whenever thugs threaten violence, we’ll just give in to their bullying?
The way to counter ideas you don’t like is to invite another speaker, one that you do like and agree with, so that the public has access to both sides. That should be easy and cheap, because I haven’t heard any case where the right threatened violence to stop a lefty speaker.
That would be half the population there.
Just one more reason I’m glad I don’t live in FL.
Does ANTIFA have an address? Are they incorporated? Do they have a treasury? What did ANTIFA do at this event? Were they seen? Who are ANTIFA?
ANTIFA did have thugs on the ground. Why were they not arrested and fined, maybe even prosecuted for assault so the next time they would respect the peace? Every time ANTIFA makes trouble, it seems like the fix is in, the police are told to stand down, and of course that encourages them to do it again. Florida should have arrested 224 thugs and fined them each $1000. If the police won’t do their job, I guess the taxpayers get stuck with the bill, as well as the “protestors” disrespect for the taxpayer’s right to hear any ideas they want to hear.
The fix is in? Nice speculation. Can you identify the 224 thugs? What did these mythical 224 thugs do to get arrested?
My simple solution: Don’t provide security. If people are not afraid to attend, great. If they are, great. If it turns into a pig fight, great. Who the hell cares?
They used to share a trailer.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Probly oughta climb back up on that turnip truck.
Precisely.
It seems the only reported act of violence at the event, using a firearm, were from the lowlifes supporting Spencer’s view. Miami Herald report said three men were arrested for threatening protesters while discharging a firearm. No mention of 224 ANTIFA thugs. No mention of ANTIFA violence or threats. Were these three merely misunderstood free speech advocates or were they thugs?
You are confusing the poor thing.
The answer is in the article:
The university previously estimated it would spend $600,000 on security at the October event to ensure no repeat of violent clashes connected to a white nationalist gathering in Charlottesville, Virginia, that left one dead in August.
Did that refresh your memory? No? I’ll put it in terms you might recognize: the university didn’t want a repeat of that terrible incident when the mob of lefty thugs attacked the front bumper of a speeding car and left one dead and about 20 injured.
There really is no talking with unruly children who stick their fingers in their ears and go “la la la I can’t hear you”. Adults can work out all kinds of solutions. Children just need discipline like expulsion from their school, or any of a variety of charges like trespassing, loitering, or criminal charges if they apply. Adults could form a very informative symposium with speakers from both sides followed by Q & A. But first the children must learn how to give the respect they want in return, or at least sit quietly and not bother the adults while ideas they can’t understand get discussed.