It's Official; The US has no morals left.

a man wearing a t-shirt which reads "Peace on Earth" and "Give peace a chance" in a mall. He was asked by the mall security to leave the store, and was arrested because he refused.

Now for my thoughts: What the hell happened to freedom of expression? Does this not violate a mans constitutional rights? I could see them doing this if the shirt said "Bomb the US" or "All Hail Hussein" But it's a shirt promoting what this world so badly needs. This makes me sick. Its pretty sad when you cant even support such a positive thing without being persecuted. Does anyone else have feelings on this matter?

Though I do agree with what you say in this thread, I think it's unfair to make a comment on the state of the morals of the entire country based on a single isolated incident. The article also is very one-sided and does not have any input from the other party. For all we know, those two men could have been piss drunk, yelling at everyone in the mall. All we have is the opinion of them, not the mall security, so the report is kind of useless IMO.

Legally there is nothing wrong with that, the mall is private property. Just like california recently passed new legislation which allows store owners to prosecute solicitors for trespassing when they bother customers as they enter stores.

I live in the US, and I have morals. So you are stereotyping me?

Hmm in my business owned and operated by one person I have the right to refuse service to anyone without exception. That does not mean I have no morals. Just on my personal property or my business means I make the rules. I have rules to go by in running my business and I make rules for those wanting to do business with me. Simple as that.

I find it funny that 'ILike2DriveCars' commonly starts threads like this, yet he lives in the US.

Which makes him a communist :uhoh: :finger:

The mall may be a publc place,but it is also private property.Mall owners have the same rights as all of us.presumably the dress code applies to all types of potentially contentious t-shirts,etc.I have to say though,that while the mall owners are perfectly within their rights,they are taking their own rules to the extreme.

Yes I agree they did go to far. My small computer store isn't a Mall. Still it was within their rights. Also if he would have simply removed the shirt then it would have been over then and there. There are places to demonstrate and a Mall isn't one.

Originally posted by Melt
I find it funny that 'ILike2DriveCars' commonly starts threads like this, yet he lives in the US.

Which makes him a communist :uhoh: :finger:

That's a cheap thing to say. I live in this country yes, but does that mean I have to agree with what occurs in it? No, not at all. The US is going to go to war. I dont like this idea, does that make me a communist? A man was arrested for wearing a 'Peace' T-shirt, I find that wrong. How does that make me communist? I enjoy the freedoms which I have, and I think this country is a good country in the whole, but there are often times which I disagree with directions that it takes. As for my other threads which I have posted such as this one, they are regarding situations involving Iraq, as well as N. Korea, and the Death penalty. My views on Iraq are that war is not the answer, and that there are other ways. My answer for N. Korea is the same, and it really doesnt matter what I think about the Death Penalty. For you to blatently call me a communist was presumtious and not needed. Please, in the future, if you feel the need to call me such a thing, please abstain and keep it to yourself, as I dont feel I have done anything wrong to recieve such a title.

Originally posted by ILike2DriveCars
My views on Iraq are that war is not the answer, and that there are other ways.

<< See avatar for official response


And I was just joking about the whole commie thing ... ;)

I don't find it wrong however I disagree with you. Which is neither here nor there. I do feel that in times such as these we need to pull together and not bash this country which has given us freedoms others can only dream of. If there is one thing that gets the hair on the back of my neck standing up is people who have never served their country bashing it or what is happening. Again this is my opinion but I've earned the right to express it. Those that take what freedoms we have for granted do NOT have that right. So many have fallen for the rights and freedoms we have. Let them never be forgotten, and never turn your back on the greatest Country on Earth.

Originally posted by Melt





I was just joking about the whole commie thing ... ;)

:lol2: :finger:

Originally posted by 1985_BMW318i
I don't find it wrong however I disagree with you. Which is neither here nor there. I do feel that in times such as these we need to pull together and not bash this country which has given us freedoms others can only dream of. If there is one thing that gets the hair on the back of my neck standing up is people who have never served their country bashing it or what is happening. Again this is my opinion but I've earned the right to express it. Those that take what freedoms we have for granted do NOT have that right. So many have fallen for the rights and freedoms we have. Let them never be forgotten, and never turn your back on the greatest Country on Earth.

I understand entirely what you are saying. I dont feel that I bash the country so much as only disagree with what is transpiring. I too believe that anyone who bashes their country for the sole fact of doing so has no right to speak in such a way. Please dont get my comments of war wrong, as stated earlier, I enjoy the freedoms which I have. Also I have the uttmost respect for those men and women who put their lives on the line while I am at home doing nothing. To them I indeed owe an amount of gratitude that would never suffice. Please dont feel that I am an anti-US conspirator. I only feel the way I do of the situations out of fear, and out of the fact that a thing such as war doesnt seem like it could be the only way. I may disagree with what the Military is doing, but I certainly wont bash them because of it. They obviously believe whole-heartedly in what they are doing, and I respect that fully.

And, as some have commented, I apologize for the title, I see now how it attacks well more than what it should. If a moderator would like to change it to better terms, it would be welcome. I again apologize.

Nuff Said. I wish it would stop raining here. My cars need to be washed and waxed :)

Pinko :flipa:

I serve my country by paying taxes and becoming educated so I can get a better paying job, and pay more taxes. Just because I don't carry a rifle doesn't mean I don't serve my country. :)

If I was called to arms to defend my country, I would without a second's hesitation, but I will take every step necessary to avoid war if at all possible.


Back on topic, I think the mall owner was just having a flashback to the 60s :hehehe:

Well the rights that business owners have here in the US is to refuse service to anyone they deem improper. I do agree that people everywhere should have a chance to speak their opinions but a place of business is not that place. Here in this forum we're allowed to speak our minds. Sometimes people forget where they are standing and reluct to look around and see that they might be causing more discomfort then praise.

Originally posted by Melt


I got some pm's cause people were offended, so that avatar is gone.

Here it is if anyone still wants to see it


Removed again.Please DONT post material that you know to be offensive to others.

:rolleyes: Funny thing is I wasnt asked by a mod to remove it ... just another AF user who happens to have family in iraq ... I dont try to push the envelope or anything, but I think the censorship here is going too far ... all it is is freedom of expression, you guys dont have to be so mean about everything.

Originally posted by Melt
...censorship here is going too far ... all it is is freedom of expression, you guys dont have to be so mean about everything.

Hmmm, sounds kinda like the deal with that guy in the mall. In case it was not read, the mall in question has dropped charges against the man, IMO they probably did this to avoid a nasty lawsuit, but whatever.