State of Georgia (U. S., not Asia) Needs to Learn Again the Free Speech Component of the U. S. Constitution – It Protects Unpopular and Politically Disgusting Speech

Popular Speech Does Not Need Protecting - Hate Speech Does

Every time we all think the Klu Klux Klan has disappeared into that special category of history known as the worst circle of Hell, the group crawls out from whatever rock they have been hiding under and once again enter the public domain.  Such is the case in the state of Georgia, where the Klan wants to join a state program that uses private groups to take care of highways.

Now the state of Georgia has a long history of bigotry towards African Americans,  the slavery thing, the segregation thing, the election of a man to the Governor’s office who brandished axe handles at men and women trying to integrate his restaurant, things like that.  So it is understandable that the state would not be happy about recognizing the Klan with a road adoption sign, too much dredging up of an unpleasant past.

The International Keystone Knights of the KKK applied to join the "Adopt-A-Highway" program along part of Route 515 in the north Georgia mountains. Participating groups are recognized with a sign along the road they adopt.

Nice People, They Just Wear That Stuff to Keep the Sun
Off Their Faces When They Clean the
Roadways of Georgia

State officials announced this month they would deny the KKK group's application, setting up the legal showdown.

And the reasons the state has given for the denial are certainly reasonable,

Rejecting the application, transportation department officials said the program was aimed at at "civic-minded organizations in good standing".

It said: "Promoting an organization with a history of inciting civil disturbance and social unrest would present a grave concern to the department."

but unfortunately we have this ‘ Constitution” thingee which allows all organizations, even odious ones to speak freely without fear of governmental punishment.  So the Klan’s right are being championed by people who abhor what the Klan stands for.

The American Civil Liberties Union will help the Ku Klux Klan in its bid to join Georgia's highway cleanup program as a legal fight looms.

ACLU of Georgia Executive Director Debbie Seagraves tells the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the civil rights group will assist the Klan in its battle with the state.

As for us folks who are disgusted by the Klan and what it has done in the past and what it stands for, we think the more publicity the group gets, the better.  Nothing destroys bigotry and hatred more than brining it out into the open.