Freedom of speech is protected under the Constitution everywhere in the United States — except Ozark, MO.
A billboard buyer there is receiving death threats after he brought an anti-Obama billboard to Ozark.
According to online reports, the buyer, Steve Critchfield, said he thought the billboard would lead to healthy discussions and debate — not death threats.
He says he’s received numerous death threats and accusations of hate speech and racism. “My partner and I felt lots of frustration here lately, and we liked that sign and we thought that was a reasonable question to ask,” Steve Critchfield said in a telephone interview on Monday.
“I’ve certainly voted for people I’m embarrassed to say I’ve voted for,” he said. “We’re not naïve enough to think that we wouldn’t get someone to be upset. I’m just surprised how upset people are.
“If everybody thinks [President Obama’s] done a great job and they’re very happy,” he said, “then I guess they’d be buying billboards saying ‘I’m proud to have voted for him.’ That’s what makes America great, isn’t it?”
