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Jim Redwine Gavel Gamut: HATE SPEECH
GAVEL GAMUT
By Jim Redwine
www.jamesmredwine.com
HATE SPEECH
Time Magazine’s book, The Making of America, posits Benjamin Franklin’s aversion to
the abuse of arbitrary power was at the root of his philosophy. Ben believed that the surest guard against such abuse was freedom of speech and the unfettered flow of ideas. As Colonial America’s most influential member of the press, Franklin was instrumental in the birth of our nation as one where the otherwise unchecked power of government could be reined in by the free flow of ideas and truth publicly aired.
Without the First Amendment, there would have been no United States of America, such
was the fear of unchained governmental power among our Founders:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging
the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the
people peaceably to assemble and to petition the Government
for a redress of grievances.”
While freedom of speech is generally protected throughout government and in the public,
it has always been the pride and guiding principle of America’s institutions of higher learning.
Universities have encouraged, tolerated and protected the free flow of ideas, especially
unpopular ones. Therefore, it has raised alarm throughout academia that students and professors are being summarily silenced and even removed from the United States merely based on their philosophical beliefs.
Freedom of speech is designed to allow unpopular views. We do not need protection of
popular ones. One method of controlling free expression is to label it as hateful to others,
especially if the expression comes from those with whom our government, or the general
population, may disagree. That appears to be the driving force behind allegations that those who oppose Israel’s assault on its neighbors are antisemitic and must be punished.
Neither our government or the national media defines what it means to be antisemitic or
why there is no right to be so, or why one cannot be unprejudiced against any group, say Jews, and still find fault with the government of the country identified with that group, say Israel. As long as prejudice is not displayed in such a way as to cause harm to a group, say Palestinians or Jews, in America one has the right to believe as one wishes and to peaceably express those views.
The grave danger from even repugnant prejudice is not one’s beliefs, but actions. Nazis in
Germany in the 1930’s and 1940’s and Zionists in Israel today may be morally corrupt, but as long as no Jim Crow type prejudice is displayed, they can wallow in their own ignorance without the government becoming involved. No, the true grave danger to our democracy and the unquestioned violation of the First Amendment comes when a government or institution takes the side of those who would deny free speech to others.
For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com
Local Family Farm Honored with the Hoosier Homestead Award
At the Indiana Statehouse Friday, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Director Don Lamb presented 56 farming families with a Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture.
“Agriculture has always served as the foundation of Indiana’s economy and way of life,” said Lt. Gov. Beckwith, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “It was a privilege to celebrate these longstanding farming families for their enduring legacies during today’s ceremony.”
To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years and consist of more than 20 acres. If less than 20 acres, the farm must produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year. Indiana farms may qualify for three honors: Centennial Award for 100 years of ownership, Sesquicentennial Award for 150 years of ownership and the Bicentennial Award for 200 years of ownership.
Represented by State Sen. Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville) and State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville), the Henry G. Wallis farms in Vanderburgh County received Centennial and Sesquicentennial awards.
The Hoosier Homestead Award Program honors families who have made significant contributions to Indiana agriculture. Instituted in 1976, the program has recognized more than 6,000 family farms that have impacted Indiana’s economic, cultural and social advancement.
“Farmers are the backbone of Indiana’s economic success,” Becker said. “The Henry G. Wallis farms have worked tirelessly for generations to become a long-lasting and respected part of our agricultural community, and I am proud to celebrate all the work they do for our great state.”
“Agriculture is more than just a business, it’s a tradition and a way of life. Our Hoosier farmers are a national treasure,” O’Brien said. “Families who have farmed for generations embody the very best of Indiana, and I’m honored to recognize their contributions.”
Since the program’s inception in 1976, over 6,200 families have received the Hoosier Homestead Award. Often, a Hoosier Homestead farm is easily recognized because most recipients proudly display their awarded sign on their property.
“Each year I look forward to honoring these long-standing farming families during the Hoosier Homestead ceremonies,” said Lamb. “I know firsthand the amount of hard work, and grit required to ensure a family remains in the same family for 100 years or more. I commend each of this year’s awardees and thank them for their dedication to Indiana and our agriculture industry.”
During the ceremonies, two Indiana farms received the Bicentennial Award for 200 years of continuous ownership: the Hamilton Batterton family and the McCoy family, both from Decatur County.
Below is a list of the Hoosier Homestead Award recipients honored during the spring 2025 ceremony:
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Local Postal Workers to Protest on Sunday
Postal workers plan to gather at the Four Freedoms Monument on Sunday at 2 PM to protest possible changes to the postal service.
The Evansville protest is one of hundreds of gatherings across the nation planned by the unions representing Postal workers. The NALC, members “oppose any plans to eliminate the (United States Postal Service) leadership, abolish regulatory oversight, and carve up postal operations, thereby threatening the universal mandate to deliver everywhere for the same price regardless of zip code,” according to a press release.
At issue is a plan by President Donald Trump to put the postal service under the control of the Department of Commerce.
48th Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous is May 24 & 25
Step back in time at the 48th Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous this Memorial Day Weekend. Celebrate the color, costume, and lifestyle of the 18th century. Browse among 100 authentic merchant and food booths on the grounds of the French Commons located at Second and Willow Streets behind the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park.
The theme for this year’s event will be George Germain Viscount Sackville – Secretary for the Colonies, the name sake of the British fort that was captured by George Rogers Clark in 1779.
Authentic battle re-enactments are an exciting crowd-pleaser and feature the capture of Fort Sackville between the Colonial and British troops. Battles are scheduled for 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and 12:30 Noon and 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Vendor booths will give demonstrations of early frontier skills and offer period wares for sale, such as pottery, leather goods, wooden toys, pewter, herbs, wood bowls, baskets, iron works, period clothing, and more.
Adult admission $12 per day at the gate, children (6-12) $2. Buttons good for both days cost $15; advance buttons are available for $12 at the Knox/Vincennes Visitor’s Bureau and all Vincennes area financial institutions. Online purchases can be made through an ON Tap link or by visiting the website www.spiritofvincennes.org. Saturday hours are 9:00 a.m. (EDT) to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Throughout the two-day event, visitors can stroll through the authentic encampment and interact with re-enactor members of the Northwest Territory Alliance. And there will be ongoing entertainment, period music, oxen, children’s games, storytellers, and more.
Food vendors will serve a wide variety of period foods including sausage sandwiches, pork chops, crick fried taters, corn on the cob, homemade pies, bread pudding, and even strawberry shortcake.
Stage entertainment and strolling musicians as well as the traditional Fife and Drum Corps will fill the grounds with the sounds and tales of the period.
Additional Rendezvous activities include Saturday evening candlelight tours of Grouseland – home of 9th U.S. President William Henry Harrison. Free transportation is provided for those wearing a Rendezvous button.
Details are available online at www.spiritofvincennes.org, or by calling 800-886-6443, or on the group’s Facebook page.
UE baseball opens MVC play with 6-5 win over Murray State
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Ridgway’s gem not enough as Aces drop opener to Bears
Ridgway’s gem not enough as Aces drop opener to Bears
Doubleheader set for Saturday
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Freshman Kate Ridgway allowed just two runs on five hits in six innings of work on Friday, but two late runs saw Missouri State defeat the University of Evansville softball team by a final score of 2-0 in the series opener.
A pitcher’s duel ensued as Ridgway and McKenzie Vaughan held the opposing offenses in check through the first 5 ½ innings. The Bears plated two runs in the bottom of the sixth before completing the shutout.
Niki Bode recorded a hit for the Purple Aces in the top of the first while Brooke Voss reached on a hit in the second. Missouri State registered its first hit of the day in the bottom of the fourth. In the top of the fifth, UE looked to break the scoreless tie as Miriah Powell reached on a 1-out walk before Kynadee Warner singled with two outs. A foul out ended the threat.
Morgan Adams led the top of the sixth off with a double, but a fly out and two groundouts kept things scoreless. The Bears capitalized in the bottom of the frame as two RBI singles gave them the lead.
Vaughan allowed just four UE hits while Ridgway held the Bears to five hits.
The squads will decide the series with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.
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