Mall at Johnson City evicts "NoBama" store (Jonesborough: sublease, renters)

[rccrain]

Originally Posted by SarahSal

As I recall, the major problem most dissenters had with former President Bush was the fact that he started a war many believed was illegimate and as a result many young Americans (and Iraqui's)*died* (not to mention its cost). This issue was at the very heart of the anti-Bush sentiments - the fact that people died because of his actions. President Obama, however, has been disrespectfully and unfairly assaulted on every single front. What is the underlying and comparative rationale that allows a nine-month old presidency to become the target of so much vitriol?

Oh come now. Did liberals not invent "Bushisms" and make the same outlandish claims about SS reform that are being made about HC reform? Same song, different verse. Both sides are just as bad and hungry for power. BTW, we're still in Afganistan and Iraq, but no one seems to care anymore.

Anyway this is unfair business practices in my book. And I'd feel the same way if Spencer's was evicted and Graphics was allowed to stay. You have to be able to see it both ways.

I realize the Mall may be with in their legal rights, but that doesn't mean I have to spend money on Christmas gifts within their walls.

[SarahSal]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

We've managed because those of us who're more liberal are biting our tongues, out of force of habit.

Perhaps so, Jab - because I thought a lot about responding before I actually did. But I also thought this incident struck at the core of so many issues; leasehold and property rights, free speech, respect, civility and community opinion. And a debate about civility and respect also seemed like an important one to have, especially now - and especially in this part of the world, which has a reputation for being divided all the way back to the Civil War. Here, we are a microcosm of what's happening on many different levels all around us. But we are also a *community* that collectively loves this Tennessee mountain area; although on political issues, naturally we may never agree because we've all had such different inputs in our lives.

None of us knows yet whether a legal proceding will be the ultimate arbiter of this 'mall' incident and even then the *real* underlying issue(s) may never see the light of day - even if it traveled all the way to the Supreme Court.

So, aside from legal issues, which is more important to our community; protecting the kind of 'free speech' this kiosk's demeaning products (60%)represented? Or, demonstrating some (patriotic?) respect for the holder of the highest office in our land? I just had to wonder if people can get so fired up about protecting the sanctity of our flag, why not the person who represents the country which the flag symbolizes (even if we don't always agree with his policies)?

Not to be repetitive but Bush dissenters basically disagreed with his war policies. Obama dissenters appear to disagree with everything he says or does. What or who is feeding this continuous discourse (and emblamatic exhibits) of hatred? And why? It surely is not helping our country (or any of us) move forward.

Great job, Mouse for keeping this reasonably civil...

[gsp4ever]

Aren't you guys a little off topic--again? My two sentence thread got deleted yesterday for being off topic of the Johnson City Mall.

It's gonna get locked.....

[mbmouse]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

Maybe Prez Obama should hire MB & SMG to be the national moderators.

That's not just a "no"....that is a big HE** NO! LOL

Sorry folks, had to do some more deleting. We HAVE to keep threads on topic of the JC Mall and the decision to evict Graphic Edge from the mall. Not Bush verses Obama.

[dreamofmonterey]

boycott the store if you don't like it, I boycott the mall anyway,on topic.

The tenant could not appeal this, litigation would be of prohibitive cost against a corporation. The burden of proof ($)is on the tenant (Plaintiff)to prove an illegal act,in civil court.

[gsp4ever]

Originally Posted by dreamofmonterey

The tenant could not appeal this, litigation would be of prohibitive cost against a corporation. The burden of proof ($)is on the tenant (Plaintiff)to prove an illegal act,in civil court.

Wonder if the ACLU would lend their kind hand to help with Graphic Edge's legal battle?
Wouldn't *that* be something. TeeHee...

[Mark-faf]

Originally Posted by gsp4ever

Wonder if the ACLU would lend their kind hand to help with Graphic Edge's legal battle?
Wouldn't *that* be something. TeeHee...

Why TeeHee? No, I'm not a "card carrying" member of ACLU, but if Graphic Edge's contract with the JC Mall allows freedom in what they sell, then the ACLU should take the case. ACLU defends the Bill of Rights, which includes freedom of speech, press, right to own firearms and separation of church and state. That's not liberal or conservative.

Was Graphic Edge within their rights to sell anti-Obama stuff? Yes. Was the JC Mall within their rights to evict them, depending on the specifics of the lease, probably yes again. We also have the right to speak with our wallet. What a country!

Mark

[DiderotsGhost]

Originally Posted by Mark-faf

Why TeeHee? No, I'm not a "card carrying" member of ACLU, but if Graphic Edge's contract with the JC Mall allows freedom in what they sell, then the ACLU should take the case. ACLU defends the Bill of Rights, which includes freedom of speech, press, right to own firearms and separation of church and state. That's not liberal or conservative.

Was Graphic Edge within their rights to sell anti-Obama stuff? Yes. Was the JC Mall within their rights to evict them, depending on the specifics of the lease, probably yes again. We also have the right to speak with our wallet. What a country!

Mark

It's a contract dispute. It has nothing to do with the Bill of Rights. The First Amendment has never given anyone the right to force other people to allow them to use their private property as an open forum. The 1st Amendment's "Freedom of Speech" clause has to do with government suppression of speech and has nothing to do with private contractual matters.

[dreamofmonterey]

They would probably not win the suit, the judge would look at the wording of the contract, he doesn't care about the incendiary topic of the case. It costs five figures to bring a suit to court (with a decent lawyer at least)

[Tom Lennox 70]

I just came to this board since I might be visitng the area (Jonesborough) in a few months....but I feel compelled to repond to this.

The exact same thing happened at a mall in Charlotte. This actually is a great report on what happened:

Conservative kiosk not allowed at mall | Charlotte News, Weather, Sports | WCNC.com | Top Stories (http://www.wcnc.com/news/topstories/stories/wcnc-072109-mrn-freemarketwarrior.63b5bce2.html - broken link)

They said that someone complained to the mall saying the kiosk promoted not just racism but "slavery". I am a minority and there is nothing racist about disagreeing with Obama, believing in less government interference and disagreeing with the welfare socialist state that Obama and his stooges want to turn our country into. Maybe now we have to remind the liberals that dissent is patriotic and that you are allowed to hate the President. Let us not forgot how they disrespected President Bush to no end.

Kiosk owners also have freedom of speech in what they sell and the messages conveyed in their merchandise. Frankly I am surprised even in Tennessee, a solid Red state and a Christian state that this can happen. I have a McCain bumper sticker and an anti-Obama sticker also here in Baltimore and I have had racist slurs yelled at me by people in other cars at red lights here in Baltimore, where blind support for Obama is sky high.