When you purchase a ticket to the US Open, this is included in the fine print
Guest Conduct — Guests using foul language or appearing to be in a drunken condition may be subject to eviction from the facility. Guests wearing obscene or indecent clothing will be denied entry.
First Amendment rights do not entitle a person to say whatever they want whenever they want. The First Amendment actually states that Congress cannot create a law that abridges the freedom of speech or of the press. The Fourteenth Amendment has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to apply this to the states and local governments as well.
The Supreme Court has upheld limitations on the right to free speech repeatedly. These include private events (such as the US Open), Obscentity, libel and slander.
Additionally, free speech that endangers other people is not protected (e.g., yelling fire in a crowded place when there is no fire). Even in public events, the rights to free speech are curtailed and has been supported by US Courts. This includes limiting time for a person to speak at a public meeting and preventing speech that impinges on others ability to hear other people speaking.
And not a single word of your post has any bearing whatsoever on who was at fault in the incident shown in the video.
Yes, the guy might have violated the fine print of his ticket, but if that was the case, the people who took offense should have gone and told security what he was doing, and asked that he be told to shut up or removed from the venue.
I was responding to those who stated that he had done nothing wrong and was exercising his First Amendment rights.
And, he did do something wrong. And his punishment, a 2 year ban from attending the US Open is appropriate. The woman and her father also received the same ban.
I do believe he would be able to win a civil case against them if he so chose. I doubt the district attorney would pursue an assault claim against the 2 aggressors. It’s fairly rare that they do when the victim isn’t injured and his behavior could be interpreted as disturbing the peace.
Asshole number one: The loud, possibly drunk asshole who’s making way too much noise. Probably thinks he’s entitled to do whatever he wants 'cause he works on Wall Street or something and makes a ton of money.
Asshole number two (and probably the outstanding asshole of the whole bunch): The woman. She’s just as loud as asshole number one, and she’s a member of that elite group of assholes, women who like to hit guys because they know that they will not face any consequences for their action. If a guy takes a swing at a guy, he knows that he’s possibly going to have his ass handed to him. This particular asshole thinks (probably rightly) that she can get violent and get away with it, and she likes that. Chickenshit bitch.
Asshole number three: Old guy who starts punching. Probably drunk. He’s as bad as the loud drunk who set the whole thing in motion.
Assholes number 4 through n: All the assholes who see something happening and can’t wait to get in on the action, especially when it’s obvious that everyone is beating on one guy. Nothing like getting in a few punches when you’re part of a mob.
Asshole number five: YOU, for describing asshole number one as such. " Probably thinks he’s entitled to do whatever he wants 'cause he works on Wall Street or something and makes a ton of money." Guess you’re not rich, yet… you’re an asshole…
If it’s true that he had been loud and disruptive for awhile before this altercation, at a venue where this normally does not occur, then guess what…he gets an Asshole sign. It’s not like because other people went beyond simple assholery into thuggishness, it means he wasn’t an asshole if he were as disruptive as has been claimed.
He was an asshole. He was being loud and obnoxious in a venue where that kind of behavior is not acceptable. His sense of entitlement (to behave however he damn well pleased) was apparent. I’ve observed this kind of behavior among traders and fund managers and the like for years. It’s not unique to Wall Street, but over the years I’ve seen more of it there than elsewhere.
Whether or not I’m rich is irrelevant. I’m capable of behaving like an adult at adult events. This guy was not.
Moderator’s Note:Philster, this is way out of line for the GR. If you have complaints about a poster’s behaviour, take it to the Pit or resolve it in PMs.
No Warning issued, but failure to comply with this note will result in one.
I saw a fight at a PGA golf tournament earlier this summer, and people were just shocked. Like, “what do you mean, there’s a fight???” I imagine the same thing happened here. I’ve never seen a fight or even an argument in all the times I’ve been to the US Open.
Well, anyhow, lessons learned, in no particular order:
KNOW WHEN TO FRIGGIN’ QUIT. You’d think getting slapped would’ve driven the point home. But not only did he keep blabbering on and on (oh, incidentally, holding up the match…remember that?..in the process), he actually continued provoking her, as if he wanted to escalate the situation. Well, mission accomplished, dumbass. Do you really think anyone’s going to buy it if you play the victim card? Especially among those who actually know what is and isn’t protected by the 1st Amendment? You might have gotten away with this crap in high school, but you’re 27 now. Learn a little goddam restraint.
Don’t resort to physical violence unless you’re actually good at it. Again, this isn’t high school anymore. All that flailing and thrashing and flopping that served you just fine then will just make you look like a joke now. Hey, remember the time Nolan Ryan took Robin Ventura to school? You might not know this, but he was used to scuffles and did that headlock-noogie move a lot. And it still was kinda silly. A hopeless bum like you mixing it up will result in nothing but embarrassment.
If you’re going to play hero, at least play HERO, not some worthless opportunistic bully kicking around some poor schmuck after already you know he’s not gonna hit back. And definitely don’t pile on after seeing someone else do it.
Oh yeah, the rest of you idiots. “Ged im outta heah! Ged im outta heah!” Hey, you know something you can do that would actually accomplish that goal? Alerting security! Hey, that’s what they’re there for, believe it or not. One would’ve been sufficient, in fact. Just let the fine gentleman in red in on the situation, and he’ll calmly educate the jerk on the fine print on the ticket before showing him the door. No harm done, no collateral damage, and still a decent YouTube video.