Reply #35: My email to LisaKreiger...

[IndyOp]

Dear Ms. Kreiger,

I am most disturbed to read that you did not allow Mifune to complete their performance at the jazz festival at the Tower City Mall on Friday.

The band wore T-shirts with a picture of George Bush with a line through it. That is not obscene and it does not advocate inappropriate behavior. It is a statement that they do not approve of the President, perhaps that they want him removed from office. Would you have pulled the plug if the band members had had a similar picture of Congressman Kucinich? Senator Kerry or Senator Clinton or Senator Kennedy?

Free speech is protected specifically so that the people can speak out against the powerful.

Rarely do powerful political regimes have to engage to arm-twisting, intimidation, or to enforcing censorship with goons because 'good' citizens are usually willing to do the dirty work of censoring speech of others who speak out against authority.

If you pulled the plug because you believe that they should 'respect authority' (or, more specifically, because you believe they should respect your point of view) then you have engaged in censorship.

If you pulled the plug because you got complaints from customers who said they would leave the mall, then you have engaged in censorship for the purpose of making a $. We are at a sad moment in this nation's history when the goal of being profitable seems to daily rise above principles, such as free speech, that we say we hold dear in this nation.

Ms. Kreiger, I urge you to invite the band back to play and allow them to wear the T-shirts that they had on Friday.

Best wishes!

IndyOp

P.S. This matter was brought to my attention by friends who live in Cleveland who are concerned about your actions this past week.