A conversation was relayed to me recently wherein my retail business was being discussed. The conversation included several Racine Unified teachers who stated that while they liked the offerings at my store, they could not shop there, as a matter of principle. They evidentally did not approve of my public criticism of RUSD and the series of spending referenda.
Now I was not there, but if I was, I would have asked what principle they would be violating by shopping at my store.
Now it can't be that the teachers object to my constitutionally protected right to speak. Certainly this is part of the curriculum at RUSD schools, so it can't be that.
Could it be that they oppose political activism in general? Would they boycott my store if I had an "IMPEACH BUSH" and a "VOTE YES" sign in my window? Somehow I doubt it.
I am at a loss. I can't for the life of me figure out what principle is at stake for these teachers. Do any of my readers care to speculate?
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7 comments:
Ask them...or be the martyr you are acting like...
I wasn't there and I don't know who they are, otherwise I would ask them. And if they are FreeRacine readers, I would love it if they explained their principles. I would be most interested.
maybe they are just expressing their free speech?
I am not infringing on their speech am I huh?? I don't think they are defending the principle of free speech as their speech is not being threatened by me or anyone else. I am a big proponent of free speech. Boycotting my store to defend free speech is like boycotting Sweden to defend liberalism. Please do offer another suggestion.
Perhaps they want to support a democratic business owner instead of a 'hegemonic imperialism' backer?
;-)
i was misunderstood and will try again. you are not limiting free speech.
maybe they were expressing their free speech by boycotting your store since they do not want to support a person or business they do not agree with?
it is part of the risk of being visible with your opinions. which do you chose: share your thoughts or make money?
Thank you huh? Of course you are absolutely correct. This has nothing to do with free speech and everything to with punishing speech that they do not like. That is the principle-punish those who disagree with you poitically.
Now that is their right of course. But let me ask you huh?, do you share this principle? Should people seek to bring financial harm to those with whom they disagree?
I can tell you that this is not one of my principles. In fact, mine is just the opposite. I think we should engage in dialogue with people of different viewpoints.
Do you wonder huh? if these teachers will try to pass on this priciple to their students? I would be surprised if they didn't. I think it would be dangerous for teachers to teach children that it is acceptable, even desireable, to try to punish personally their political opponents. I think Hillary Clinton correctly describes this as the politics of personal destruction.
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