Over the past several weeks, I have been astounded by the [incidents of] local protestors who have been arrested or assaulted by the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department and the Asheville Police Department. I am speaking, of course, about our infamous flag criminals, the Kuhns of West Asheville, and the more recent arrest of Mr. Jonas Phillips for holding an “Impeach Bush” sign over a busy highway. I think that we can all agree that something must be done about this awful situation as soon as possible!
The problem is, the law enforcement agencies do not seem to be able to pinpoint what crime these protestors have committed. I would like to suggest to the Asheville City Council that a municipal ordinance be passed that would prohibit offending a police officer’s political views within the city limits. The streets of Asheville will be much safer for everyone if our police officers’ opinions are left unchallenged.
I believe that an ordinance of this sort would bring much needed stability to our community. Our Police Department would then be able to effectively charge these criminals with the appropriate offense without having to spend the taxpayers’ money on expensive attorneys’ fees for interpretation of the law.
Citizens of Asheville, let us do whatever is in our power to protect our loyal, hardworking law-enforcement personnel from unwanted attacks on their political sensibilities. Asheville will not be a safe place to live or work until we do.
— Leslie Starr O’Hara
Weaverville
Is this a joke? I really hope so. If not, you are actually suggesting we make new laws in order to make these people criminals? The point is that these “flag criminals” aren’t criminals at all because they weren’t breaking the law. It’s somehow their fault for wasting taxpayer money because the police can’t really get them on anything? There are so many insanely dumb points in your letter I can’t begin to tell you. Again, really hope you aren’t serious.
Sarcasm at it’s finest. Although I wonder if the APD would agree?