And here we go.  People are starting to gather and get vocal.

Before I report on the latest let me say one thing.  Dissension is an American tradition.  Even the "symbolic gestures" passed by many local communities are traditions of free speech and discourse that I appreciate, and I defend...in principle.  In other words, I vigorously defend the rights of American Citizens to protest, to pass initiatives and to complain.

However.

Freedom of speech works both ways.  I have the freedom of dissent too.  I have the freedom to see what they do and hear what they say and to protest them.  The fact they are engaged in a free speech activity is not cover and shield against retaliation and counter demonstration.

In the case of the Military, Berkeley and Code Pink can harass and protest the Marines within the confines of the law and even alter existing law to harass them a bit more.  Whether or not that is a violation of various Federal laws is a matter for lawyers and Judges to determine.

But, Berkeley and Code Pink must remember that they too are subject to protests in retaliation, whether in the form of boycotts, public displays of disgust and legal action.

One thing I have noticed quite often in these situations is that people tend to think free speech creates a vacuum of protection and sanctity.  It doesn't.  In fact it is not a protection of legal action at all, which means the vandalism committed by Code Pink is subject to criminal prosecution.

Free speech is not a protection against consequence.

In summary, if they have a right to do what they do, I have the same right to do what I do, and to join the other bloggers in their efforts to protest them.

Now, the latest, via Michelle Malkin:

Berkeley backlash building: American Legion, Sen. DeMint weigh in

The backlash against Berkeley’s anti-Marine, anti-troop measures is building. The American Legion and Sen. Jim DeMint weigh in tonight. Keep it up. Send a message to Berkeley: We’re not in the 1960s anymore.