Freedom Of Speech Is Not Freedom From Consequences, Part 2
My disabled friend parked a little over the line at [Retail Chain]. While I was sitting in the car, a guy with a disabled plate pulled up and started smarting off about stupid people who can’t park right.
Me: “Sir, I will move the car over a little for you if you like.”
Instead of being reasonable, he started calling me all kinds of names. He was striding quickly across the parking lot, so I asked:
Me: “Where do you get off insulting people you don’t even know?”
The man quickly wheeled around.
Man: “Freedom of speech!”
So, I got out of the car and asked a teenager in his car what was wrong with him. The girl seemed embarrassed.
Girl: “I’m sorry, but he’s my dad.”
Me: “Oh, okay.”
When the man came back to his car, I spoke to him again.
Me: “It’s kind of funny that a man like you would have such nice offspring.”
It took him a minute to realize what I was talking about. Then, he turned beet red in the face and yelled:
Man: “YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TALKING TO MY DAUGHTER!”
I grinned at him, and as he began to drive away, I very clearly said:
Me: “FREEDOM OF SPEECH!”
