One of the greatest gifts we have in this country is the freedom to get our point of view heard, whether it's the prevailing party line, or as far from reality as is possible.
As an American we can stand on our soapbox and preach to whoever is willing to listen. On my last trip to New York I spent a few minutes listening to a street preacher whose message was that the world as we know it will cease to exist in the year 2012. It was lunchtime, the weather was nice, and he had about 50 people listening to him. I thought what he was saying was crazy, but at the same time I admired him for getting up and telling people how he felt. I even left a couple of dollars in his donation jar for the entertainment.
Jim Whelan Protesting in front of Wachovia Bank
Personally, I take the 1st Ammendment to the Constitution very seriously. I have done a number of one man protests where I live, and have traveled to other areas of the country to do the same. Some of my protests have landed me on the front cover of newspapers, and a few have gotten me huge publicity on the internet. More often than not my protests have gotten me on television, often at the expense of the big networks and their anchor, who wanted me run over with a truck.
Jim Whelan telling people his opinion about Wachovia Bank
At the trial of Zacarias Moussaoui in Virginia I was threatened by a SWAT team leader, who changed his tune when I told him who had authorized my protest. You can't be bullied when you know your rights.
We Americans sometimes forget that everyone has a right to express their particular point of view, no matter what it is, or how repugnant it may be.
Jim Whelan fed up with poor customer service at Comcast
For instance, when Code Pink, (an anti-war group), picketed a military recruiting station in Berkeley, I was fine with it, even though I disagree with their point of view. When they tried to shut down the station they crossed the line. The military are allowed their point of view too.
This really is the only place in the world where you can say whatever you want to. If you tried my one man protest in Cuba, for instance, you'd get thrown in the hoosegow. The same thing would happen in Zimbabwe, and you might find yourself with a burning tire around your neck.
Jim Whelan starts protesting comcast and how terrible their client services are.
In China, even though it has made vast strides, you could get re-educated or do time. In Myanmar you could get shot. In many places in South America you could just "disappear."
Jim Whelan in heated debate about why the Chamber of Commerce is a Ripp Off
Free speech means that both Jesse Helms and Cynthia McKinney get to say whatever they want to. It means that we'll tolerate both Larry Flynt and Ann Coulter, Pat Buchanan and Frank Rich,
Michelle Malkin and Maureen Dowd.
It means that Howard Stern can say what he likes, and so can Rush Limbaugh. The airwaves will even tolerate Keith Olberman
and Bill O'Reilly.
Nobody has to like what any of these people say. You are allowed to disagree at the top of your lungs. And like me, you are even allowed to make a big sign and picket a huge corporation.
But you are not allowed to shut anybody up, or to take away their right to protest.
All because some stand up guys in powdered wigs wanted to make sure that all Americans could voice their opinions without fear of reprisal.
From the big saddle,
Jim Whelan
The Chairman of the Board
Jim Whelan expressing his disatisfaction with the Presidential election in 2004
Please expand on your story of the SWAT team leader. What did he say and what was your response?
Also, there is a black and white photo of you smiling at a U.S. Marshall. Did he threaten you?
I for one am sick of the police state mentality we are seeing more and more of these days. I read an article today of the police moving in and threatening to arrest people outside of an IndyMac bank in Cal. People have every right to be upset about not having access to their money.
I may sound like a freak but I believe that the sharks have us completely surrounded and are now moving in for the kill. The sharks are too stupid to realize that there are some of us who are willing to fight to the death regardless of what uniform they wear.
Thanks for the great story.
Doug
Newark, Ohio
Shell Oil made the infamous polybutylene blue pipe that failed miserably. The court let them off the hook with a time limit. My pipe failed just outside the limit and replacement cost me $4,000.00. I would not buy Shell gasoline if i ran out of fuel in front of a Shell station. Shell is a worthy target for protest. I would like to drive them out of business.