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« Tortonto Star on Chi handgun ban | Main | Civil War collector killed by140 year old shell »

Man arrested for pointing finger

Posted by David Hardy · 2 May 2008 05:56 PM

Story here.

"The former mayor is under indictment, the Village Board is hamstrung by infighting and a defiant landowner has vowed to put a pig farm on his property to stop the town from building a water tower.

But the news on everyone's lips in far north suburban Island Lake is about Greg Kachka and his T-shirt."

He was arrested for disorderly conduct, on the claim that while wearing a "Don't run, you'll only die tired" T-shirt during a heated village council meeting, he pointed a finger at one member while she was rolling her eyes at her constituents, and the claim he also extended his thumb, making it a gun-like symbol.

It's interesting that the council members say it was only brought to their attention after the meeting. Whatever disorderly conduct may be (usually including disturbing the peace), it doesn't include things that have to be "brought to your attention" after the fact.

Hat tip to Dan Gifford...

10 Comments | Leave a comment

Micheal | May 3, 2008 6:32 AM | Reply

I read the same article and thought about posting something about it,because it's asinine and silly. The guy was wearing a shirt,which had a common Marine sniper slogan,that is protected by the 1st Amendment. As to "pointing" his finger, the councile members need to grow up,for they are not in the first grade anymore.

Tom | May 3, 2008 8:47 AM | Reply

After this post runs and all is said, I would think you will file this under the moonbat shenanigans section.

Tarn Helm | May 3, 2008 10:44 AM | Reply

Sounds like an episode of that old sit-com "Green Acres."

Obama should post this article on his web site and caption it: "See?! I told you so!"

Rivrdog | May 3, 2008 11:48 AM | Reply

Ah, yes, the horrific crime of Assault with a Deadly (repeating!) Finger Gun. It tops the stats list in violent crime just about everywhere now, doesn't it?

This is one of those things that has been used to make back-door attacks on the Second, and the NRA and all of us gun writers snoozed and let it happen, it's ALWAYS an expellable offense in public schools, and now it seems to have drifted up to an actual crime in the benighted State of Illinois.

Here's my take on this: it is the perfect case to defend the First Amendment with while reminding folks of the Second (so naturally, the ACLU won't touch it if asked to mount a defense).

I'm fairly confident that if a "finger gun" case came before the Oregon Supreme Court, MY Supremes would toss it as a definable violation of the gentleman's First Amendment right.

To me, this validates my argument that the NRA should start to play hardball, and soon, before some coterie of folks in Black Dresses decides that this is prohibited speech.

As for the folks in that Village, they could show activist support for their hero by "finger-gunning" down every one of the Nazis in that town-clown Village Council. I doubt that the village elders would have the Chief of Police arrest EVERYBODY.

Ryan | May 3, 2008 7:28 PM | Reply

RivrDog,

The ACLU has filed amicus on behalf of the plaintiff on DC v Heller. The ACLU has always fought for civil rights, even if they go off the deep end for a lot of them. The right to bear arms is a civil right.

Assman | May 3, 2008 8:10 PM | Reply

Ryan:

They did? I don't recall that. Could you provide a link?

I know the Texas chapter of the ACLU has been on record as protecting Second Amendment freedoms, but the national ACLU has always been against the right of the individual to keep and bear arms.

David McCleary | May 4, 2008 6:05 AM | Reply

I would also be very interested in the link to an pro gun pro 2nd brief by the ACLU.I certainly agree that "The right to bear arms is a civil right." but I was unaware that the ACLU had reached that conclusion. One big reason I have not supported them since doing an internship with the Detroit branch just before going to law school.

Assman | May 5, 2008 6:49 AM | Reply

I re-read the list of parties who wrote amicus briefs in the Heller case and the ACLU does not appear on either side.

The ACLU's position on the Second Amendment is clear, as it states on its web site:

We believe that the constitutional right to bear arms is primarily a collective one, intended mainly to protect the right of the states to maintain militias to assure their own freedom and security against the central government. In today's world, that idea is somewhat anachronistic and in any case would require weapons much more powerful than handguns or hunting rifles. The ACLU therefore believes that the Second Amendment does not confer an unlimited right upon individuals to own guns or other weapons nor does it prohibit reasonable regulation of gun ownership, such as licensing and registration.

They go on to say that they're "neutral" on the issue. I take this to mean that they don't participate in 2nd Amendment suits, despite their obviously erroneous interpretation.

I seriously doubt they joined in any of the pro-Heller briefs.

Carl in Chicago | May 5, 2008 11:36 AM | Reply

Ryan, the ACLU did NOT file an amicus brief on behalf of either Petitioner or Respondend.

I fully suspect you are thinking of the one filed on behalf of Respondent by the ACRU (American Civil Rights Union).

You can find the ACRU brief, and the others, here:
http://dcguncase.com/blog/case-filings/

straightarrow | May 5, 2008 1:26 PM | Reply

I suppose under the pretext of this man's arrest the city councilwoman could be arrested for solicitation for prostitution for pointing her breasts at the audience.

it is the same logic and lame justification she and the police have used. If I were in the audience I would have suspected the woman of trying to ruin my marriage by offering illicit sex.

Can she not now be arrested, because of what I would have feared.

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