These Men Want Inside Your Bedroom

These four men believe it is their right to say whatever they want in your bedroom. From left: Dan Katz, attorney; Joslyn Williams, president, Metropolitan Washinton Council, AFL-CIO; Johnny Barnes, American Civil Liberties Union of the National Capital Area; and John Boardman, executive secretary treasurer UNITE HERE Midatlantic Joint Board. (Copyright © 2007. David Klavitter)

This foursome also enjoys smothering all forms of amplifier-less, grassroots-supported free speech protests.

They testified during the July 9, 2007 D.C. Council hearing on the noise bill.

The union leaders, their attorney--and even an ACLU representative--said they believe D.C. residents have no right to quiet in their homes from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. anywhere in the city. They support the current law which allows one person to disrupt an entire community at unlimited amplified volume.

The ACLU supports denying your rights in your own bedroom! Incredible!

Unamplified voices would remain exempt from the D.C. noise bill pending before the city council that would fix the noise loophole created in 2004.

This ensures the issues which rally greatest number of voices get heard.

Noisemaker Pens Letter From Quiet Philly Home

In the news, I enjoyed having the option to read (instead of being forced to hear) Minister Yahana’s guest editorial (“We have the right to protest”) in the Aug. 9 Voice of the Hill newspaper. It’s on on page 13.

As his title suggests, he misses the mark completely.

I respect his view and admire his passionate beliefs. However, he failed to justify why D.C. residents should be denied the right to quiet in their own homes.

After all, before his unfettered use of an amplifier in my neighborhood each week, Minister Yahana enjoys quiet solitude at his home, ensured by the city of Philadelphia.

I completely support preachers and protesters in the public space—I just don’t want them in my bedroom.

Heat Apparently Deters Amplifieds

For those gentle readers curious about the long pause in postings: Work and school commitments are responsible.

Saturdays and Sundays during the past 30 days were amplified--save for a couple quiet ones. I presume the absence was due to several weekends of extreme temperatures.

Meanwhile, the Rev. Dallas Williams has brought with him some new preachers to enhance his regular Sunday afternoon sermons. The amplifier was heard a greater distance and the sound's uninterrupted duration lasted more than an hour.

The Rev. Williams always is courteous and respectful--we can chat about the volume tomorrow if he shows.