Charged for speaking their mind

In North Carolina, Buncombe County Sheriff’s deputy Brian Scarborough went to the home of Mark and Deborah Kuhn to cite the couple because he was offended that they flew a U.S. flag upside-down as a political statement. Things rapidly degenerated from there. Apparently incredulous that a government employee would try to penalize them for peacefully expressing their political views, the Kuhns refused to accept the citation and closed the door on the petty little thug. Scarborough then broke into the couple's home, precipitating a scuffle.

Now the Kuhns are charged with assault on a government employee, resisting arrest and desecrating an American flag.

Assault on a government employee? Resisting arrest? They were defending their home from an intruder. Frankly, the Kuhns would have been justified in using a lot more force against Scarborough than the few slaps and punches that resulted in "some scrapes and cuts to his hand."

Desecrating an American flag? That's free speech, folks. You don't have to like it, but it's the Kuhns' right to fly a flag upside-down if they want, no matter what the law says.

I give the Kuhns credit for speaking their minds, and for refusing to back down when a ridiculous little official came around to wag his finger at them.

The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office can be reached at (828) 250-4503. Why not make a call and let Sheriff Van Duncan know that Deputy Brian Scarborough deserves a real "assault on a government employee."