Today at around noon six individuals set up flags and signs on an overpass over U.S. Highway 50 in Warrensburg, Missouri, expressing a variety of sentiments in opposition to President Obama and his administration. One sign made reference to Benghazi, several signs referred to constitutional issues, and one sign addressed guns. At least one of the demonstrators was openly carrying a firearm.

Flags and signs at an anti-Obama demonstration on an overpass over U.S Highway 50 in Warrensburg, Missouri – October 10, 2015.

Interestingly, of the two individuals holding flags (and there were several flags to choose from) both chose to hold the battle flag of the Army of Northern Virginia, not the U.S. flag, nor the Gadsden flag.

Driver of a passing car: [shouted, while gesturing at the demonstrators] Idiots!

Anti-Obama demonstration on an overpass over U.S. Highway 50 in Warrensburg, Missouri – October 10, 2015.

[….]

Show Me Progress: So, what kind of response are you getting today?

Demonstrator: It’s positive. We normally, uh, we’re with Overpasses for America. Uh, we’re a national organization and, uh, we normally get a very positive response from people. Uh, now and then you might get some people that have some animosity towards us, but normally it’s, uh, positive, so. [horn honking]

Show Me Progress: So, um, uh, are you from this area?

Demonstrator: Uh, [….] from, uh, this area. I’m from Kansas City.

Show Me Progress: Uh, huh.

Demonstrator: Uh, I think the rest of them are from Warrensburg.

Show Me Progress: Uh, okay. Uh, so [horn honking], um, why out here today, just…?

Demonstrator: Well, we, we go all over the state. Like I said, we’re national, and right now I’m, uh, uh, [….] and I are having this, uh, right here in Warrensburg. We come down here periodically. We just want to make sure that we have plenty of exposure for people to see us, or organization, and know that we’re out here and we’re protesting against this present administration, the, uh, criminal activities that they’re doing, not following our Constitution.

[….]

Demonstrator: ….Police officers in the area are usually real receptive to us. They watch for us, make sure that nobody harasses us or bothers us.

Show Me Progress: They tend to, they tend to do that no matter what anybody’s point of view [cross talk] is.

Demonstrator: Well, you’re [crosstalk] right.

Show Me Progress: And they’re really, real good about that because [crosstalk]…

Demonstrator: Well, not always.

Show Me Progress: Oh, really?

Demonstrator: I’ve been in places where we’ve had problems…

[….]

Demonstrator:…And, uh, if we don’t exercise our rights we’re gonna lose them. And that’s what we’re out here doing.

The local constabulary driving past an anti-Obama demonstration on an overpass over U.S. Highway 50 in Warrensburg, Missouri – October 10, 2015

Uh, if you’re relying on the local police to protect you from harassers and botherers, why open carry? The First Amendment is a two way street, right? Just asking.

Mixed messages? Anti-Obama demonstration on an overpass over U.S. Highway 50 in Warrensburg, Missouri – October 10, 2015.

In the several hundred vigils, demonstrations and protest marches I attended starting in 2003 I don’t ever recall a participant openly carrying a firearm. I do recall cooperative law enforcement officials working to ensure peaceful demonstrations in which participants could safely exercise their First Amendment rights. I also vividly recall harassers and botherers, most who didn’t cross the line.

So, where were today’s folks twelve years ago? Right…

“….February 9, 1776

Ordered, that the said standard be carefully preserved and suspended in the Congress room….”

The flag of the United States, Frederick Cocks Hicks, Government Printing Office, 1918, 40 pages.

A bill, introduced yesterday by Representative Chuck Gatschenberger (r):

HOUSE BILL NO. 1141

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES GATSCHENBERGER (Sponsor), BAHR AND KORMAN (Co-sponsors).

4675L.03I                                                          D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To repeal section 301.3163, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to the Don’t Tread on Me license plate.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

           Section A. Section 301.3163, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 301.3163, to read as follows:

           301.3163. Any person may apply for [special] specialty personalized “Don’t Tread on Me” motor vehicle license plates for any vehicle such person owns, either solely or jointly, other than an apportioned motor vehicle or a commercial motor vehicle licensed in excess of eighteen thousand pounds gross weight. Such person shall make application for the [special] specialty personalized license plates on a form provided by the director of revenue. The director shall then issue specialty personalized license plates bearing letters or numbers or a combination thereof as determined by the [advisory committee established in section 301.129] director, with the words “DON’T TREAD ON ME” [in place of the words “SHOW-ME STATE”] centered on the bottom one-fourth of the plate, in bold, all capital letters, and with lettering identical to the lettering used for the word “MISSOURI” on the regular state license plate. Such words shall be no smaller than forty-eight point type. Such plates shall be tiger yellow beginning at the top and bottom, with the color fading into white in the center. All numbers and letters shall be black. The left side shall contain a reproduction of the “Gadsen Snake” in black and white, with the snake to be three inches in height and two inches wide, and sitting on green grass that is two and one-quarter inches wide. Upon payment of a fifteen dollar fee in addition to the regular registration fees, and presentation of any documents which may be required by law, the director of revenue shall issue to the vehicle owner a specialty personalized plate. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 301.144, no additional fee shall be charged for the personalization of license plates issued under this section. Such license plates shall be made with fully reflective material with a common color scheme and design, shall be clearly visible at night, and shall be aesthetically attractive, as prescribed by section 301.130.

[emphasis in original]

“…The left side shall contain a reproduction of the ‘Gadsen [sic] Snake’ in black and white…”

Is that a typo? Just asking.

We made the same mistake once, just not in symbolic legislation.

They could have the same snappy accessory for their car:

At the healthcare town hall in Hillsboro, Missouri, August 11, 2009.

And pay the state for the privilege, maybe without any sense of the irony (from a year ago):

….You’ve got to wonder, if they have to pay an extra fee for the privilege, about the irony of paying more money to the state to ostensibly protest the state having more of your money….

….Dudes, do you really think this is a good idea? When the black helicopters land they’re gonna know who to pick up first….

Heh.