Not everyone in Coos County believes in free speech because some members of the community have objected to public comments made by volunteers of the public access channel. Phil Thompson, a regular volunteer behind the camera at Coos County government meetings, spoke out on behalf of himself and others who take time out of their day to film the government hearings and deliberations that so that everyone has an opportunity to stay up to date.
The volunteers speak their mind and do not always agree with the actions taken by the commission and apparently some members of the community don’t believe they should be stepping out from behind the camera (unless they are lavishing glowing praise) to voice their opinions. Thompson likens those who try to stifle free speech who are also paid with public money as so low they “could walk under a snake with a top hat on.”
You Tel’em Phil! We’re behind you and your/our rights!
Of course they can speak their minds – who better than members of the public that regularly attend these meetings. So what if they run the camera – that doesn’t preclude anyone from exercising such a basic right.
more about our right to speak up and out, Digital version of Sunday morning paper. An exciting time to be alive, whether we all agree or not.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJwpWhvmJfE&feature=player_embedded#!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CtldHzRQE8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTnmxa9LwvE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmRJSEKKiU0&feature=related