Thread on my hometown: This isn’t cool. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen alluded to Klan/white supremacists demonstrations in other towns and say they want to regulate them. Here’s the thin: https://twitter.com/thetnholler/status/1200465714466955265

While I despise those groups, you can’t regulate them without regulating others. It’s one thing to require a permit for a parade or festival. But what about 30 or 35 people who want a candlelight vigil for victims of school shootings, say, or racist attacks? (Charlottesville?)

Frankly, the white supremacist events are usually & thankfully flops. But the Constitution gives those groups as well as progressive ones the right to peaceful assembly.

I’m not a con law scholar. Maybe it’s technically legal to ask for a permit - but why? If 30-50 people are standing around the Square holding signs, that’s not necessary unless you are trying to control political thought & behavior.

I’m deeply opposed to this move and this, I’ll be raising hell. I do this not because I dislike my home town, but because I do - despite that there are folks here who think I’m a contrarian and cross the street when they see me.

This morning, I spent two hours with a childhood friend. We reminisced about our Franklin childhood, growing up at old First Methodist downtown. How people decided whether to buy appliances at McCall Electric or Sewell, trying not to offend either family.

And it made me think about how much I love my town. And, I think it’s better for the people who have moved here over the last 30-40 years and made change. I’m all for change.

But this isn’t good change. And it’s not good to have a town or county controlled by one party. And I smell some GOP influence in this proposed ordinance. So raise hell I will, out of a desire to see my home be it’s best. End of rant.