Should Free Speech Be Criminalized?

by John Lillpop

Because life in the city of Brazoria, Texas, is as close to Heaven as God will allow, Mayor Ken Corley has been forced to create controversy just to assure that Brazoria does not fall into oblivion.

Specifically, the mayor has proposed a city ordinance that would make certain uses of the N word a crime, equal to disturbing the peace and punishable by a fine of up to $500.

The actual language in the ordinance seeks to punish those who use the word in an "offensive manner." Go here:

What, one wonders, would constitute a non-offensive use?

Apparently the ordinance addresses that question somewhat by providing a loophole in instances where the word is used as a "term of endearment."

Talk about creating business opportunities for lawyers! Does Mayor Corley run an employment agency for out-of-work lawyers when he is not proposing outrageous new laws for Brazoria?

As if this N word insanity is not bad enough, Corley has promised to expand his "outlawed words list" in the future.

In the name of diversity, the mayor should add phrases like "white trash," "cracker," and "red-neck hillbilly" to his next ordinance. By doing so, Corley will shield many of my closest friends, at least ones living in Texas.

Or to really tackle the issue head on, Mayor Corley, why not just work to have the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution repealed?