PORT ANGELES — Clallam Transit System buses could soon carry political messages opposing war with Iraq.
Clallam Transit board members, including Clallam County Commissioner Mike Chapman, R-Port Angeles, on Monday said such a message is a First Amendment issue and no different than other paid political advertising.
“Go ahead and sell it,” Chapman said of the possible advertising during a transit board meeting. “It doesn’t mean Clallam Transit is endorsing it. It’s no different than political advertising for a candidate.”
Chapman’s position isn’t too popular with other Republicans, whose local chapter organized a “Support Our Troops” rally last Saturday in Port Angeles.
Port Angeles resident Bob Philpott, one of about 40 county Republicans who waved American flags and carried pro-U.S. troops signs during the rally, said he doesn’t support anti-war advertising on public buses.
“No way, I don’t want to see any anti-war message on the buses.” said Philpott, a Navy reservist for eight years. “It’s almost un-American, this no Iraq war movement that they’ve got out there.”
Chapman, however, considers himself “a strong supporter of the Constitution” and defended his position.
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