The First Amendment provides all Americans Freedom of Speech.  According to the dictionary, the definition of freedom of speech says

free·dom of speech

[ˌfrēdəm əv ˈspēCH]

NOUN

the right to express any opinions without censorship or restraint:

 

SIphotography
SIphotography
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Does this mean that I can say anything I want to anyone without any recourse against me?  Wikipedia explains it even further stating

“freedom of speech and expression is strongly protected from government restrictions by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”

In other words, the freedom is from our government, not necessarily from other individuals- or is it?

Why am I writing this article?  I was disgusted with some of the comments I read on social media posts.  Every one of our elected officials posted a message wishing a Happy Passover and a Happy Easter.  There were many people that took this opportunity to “call out” our elected officials in their respective posts.  Here are some of the comments.

My Approved Portraits
Senator Jon Tester Official Portrait
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Senator Jon Tester

  • Tess Clearman- Happy Easter Senator. You know...if someone started pushing to enforce separation of church and state as our constitution intended...this mess would likey end.
  • Bob Vannattan- I didn't think that you Democrats believed in God. The way you all talk about and treat Christians.
  • Dale Torgie- Jon - You are an expert at ignoring the elephant in the room! Our best ally is now marching to the orders of China - Our number 1 enemy! All thanks to the Biden family and Democrat voters! https://www.politico.eu/.../emmanuel-macron-china.../ What are your plans when China invades Taiwan in the next few months? Start the draft of young people?
  • Carole Berkoff- "Mass shootings have become recurrent in the United States. So far this year, the nation has experienced 146 mass shootings — using the definition of four or more shot or killed, not including the shooter — according to the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit group."

These comments were mostly tame, yet unnecessary on an Easter post. I do not know if any comments were removed by the Tester administrator.

 

Senator Steve Daines official website
Senator Steve Daines official website
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Senator Steve Daines

  • Sandi Vashro- He is Risen and in his name and through your ability to affect legislation - serve the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the disenfranchised, those without insurance, without an education, without a chance. Senator Daines. How will you serve the Lord?
  • Rebecca Harper Gibson- On this Easter Sunday please enlighten us as to where we can find in scripture that it says those in governments should CONTROL women and bow down to the wealthy who are paying them.
  • Wendy Knowles Riley- No acknowledgment that you have constituents who don’t celebrate Easter. A simple “For those who celebrate Easter…” is all it takes.
  • Robert LaFountain (in response to:) Sandi Vashro . Maybe by encouraging the homeless, the hungry, the poor, the make believe disenfranchised, the lesser educated, to help themselves to build their own chances, by encouraging them to get a job, to seek help if mentally needy, to go back to work if it’s just their laziness!
  • Chris Lavers- Have you spoken out about the J6 political hostages yet??
  • Kimberli Brown-Gertz- They*. God transcends male/female sexual organs.
  • Joseph Waldman- Your imaginary friends are not real and your fairy tales are not facts and nothing you can say or do will make it otherwise.
  • Gene Clark- He's dead bud......let it go.
  • Carole Berkoff- "Mass shootings have become recurrent in the United States. So far this year, the nation has experienced 146 mass shootings — using the definition of four or more shot or killed, not including the shooter — according to the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit group."

The comments are starting to get a little bit chirpy now.  In a lot of these comments, there was a long thread of posts with people that agreed or disagreed with the comments.

 

Rep Rosendale official webpage
Rep Rosendale official webpage
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Representative Matt Rosendale

  • John Mundinger- He is risen, indeed. Alleluia! Please explain how this good news informs your understanding of what it means to be a responsible public servant.
  • Doug Davies- If only you would live and legislate with the compassion and love that embodied Christ.
  • Carole Berkoff- "Mass shootings have become recurrent in the United States. So far this year, the nation has experienced 146 mass shootings — using the definition of four or more shot or killed, not including the shooter — according to the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit group."
  • Paul Leavell- Let us hope that HE isn't a Racist White Republican
  • Jason Smith- More faux Christianity from the party of galloping hypocrisy.
  • Aj Santana- Yes all hail traitor trump, the republicon's jesus.

I reiterate that the majority of the comments on all of our elected official’s pages were positive messages. I did not edit or alter the messages.

 

Rep Zinke official webpage
Rep Zinke official webpage
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Representative Ryan Zinke

  • Carole Berkoff- "Mass shootings have become recurrent in the United States. So far this year, the nation has experienced 146 mass shootings — using the definition of four or more shot or killed, not including the shooter — according to the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit group."

No other “off-topic” messages were left on Representative Zinke’s page.  Either his administrator removed them or, commentators remembered that he is a former Navy Seal- enough said!

 

Governor Gianforte official portrait
Governor Gianforte official portrait
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Governor Greg Gianforte

  • John Mundinger- He is risen, indeed. Alleluia! Please explain how this good news informs your understanding of what it means to be a responsible public servant.
  • Theresa Schrum- In His name and in your capacity as governor - please work to serve the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the disenfranchised, those without insurance, without an education, without a chance. How will you serve the Lord?
  • Craig Hubbard- He's risen? Did you body slam someone?
  • Catherine Dove- Do you really think your religious pronouncements are appropriate for your official page?
  • Anne Smith- Daines says the same. Do you two share a brain?
  • Ilene Medecin- You’re a traitor. Montana has turned into a cesspool!
  • Ansil Schoonhoven- From your starter castle to all those driven out of Montana. You’re housing task force is as fake as the Easter bunny. Your refusal to temporarily fund a dozen nursing homes and addiction facilities is abominable
  • Colin Bauer- Then where is he? You should be locked in a mental institution for believing in such a stupid fairytale.

Some of the comments tried to make it personal with the governor, but overall were in the same category as the other elected officials. The governor did receive more total  comments than any of our 4 federally elected officials.

 

This article is not intended to trigger anyone or make any one mad.  There are over 1 million people in Montana and less than .00035% of our population commented on the respective posts.  The article is intended to remind each of us that whether we voted for them or against them, they are all humans with families.  There are avenues to get your message across and there is always the voting booth, which speaks louder than anything else.

READ ANOTHER STORY OF WILD SOCIAL MEDIA COMMENTS

If you have a story idea or something you want to learn more about, give Randy a call at 406-788-3003 or send me an email at randall.bogden@townsquaremedia.com

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