I was a bit surprised auctioneers were calling out this person in this picture for protesting — what appears to be the right of freedom of assembly, the right of freedom of association, and the right of freedom of speech … without fear of retaliation, censorship, or legal sanction, right?
The sign even says “Land of the free …?” If there’s one occupation which argues freedom of speech, it’s auctioneers. But for some apparently, that freedom of speech is only free if I agree with what you’re saying?
There was even an effort in Tennessee to abolish a law licensing online auctioneers partially based upon a freedom of speech argument: https://www.dailysignal.com/2019/08/18/going-once-going-twice-judge-not-sold-on-tennessee-online-auctioneer-licensing-law/.
You don’t have to agree with anyone, but this person is entitled to protest, associate, assemble and thus speak other than commensurate with restrictions such as the classic, “yelling ‘fire’ in a theater” and other such nonsense.
This blog is free speech as are webinars, podcasts, videos and the like. Here again, the speech creator doesn’t have to please you any more than your speech has to please anyone else. Yet, I find anyone speaking such things as “They shouldn’t be speaking …” to be an interesting argument.
In other words, you can express yourself, but someone else can’t? Of, maybe worse yet you wish harm on this other person? This current pandemic has certainly brought out folks passionate on both sides of this issue: “public health” versus a “right to work.”
I even saw references to this other person being a plant — an imposter — and not as portrayed. Well, of course, if someone is speaking something you don’t like, they aren’t who they say they are; more drivel if you ask me.
You want your right to speech to be respected? Maybe a good idea to respect others’ rights of speech and see if a reciprocal arrangement works for you. If you think only you should be speaking, don’t be surprised if your audience dwindles and if you are threatening others, expect it to disappear.
Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, CAI, CAS, AARE has been an auctioneer and certified appraiser for over 30 years. His company’s auctions are located at: Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, RES Auction Services and Goodwill Columbus Car Auction. He serves as Distinguished Faculty at Hondros College, Executive Director of The Ohio Auction School, an Instructor at the National Auctioneers Association’s Designation Academy and America’s Auction Academy. He is faculty at the Certified Auctioneers Institute held at Indiana University and is approved by the The Supreme Court of Ohio for attorney education.
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