A controversial billboard in Huntington, Calvert County, Maryland has ignited a fiery debate in the community. The billboard, featuring negative caricatures of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, has garnered both support and criticism from residents.
The billboard portrays cartoon depictions of the president and vice president emerging from piles of cartoon excrement. Accompanying the caricatures is a pro-Trump message that reads, “DON’T BLAME TRUMP! YOU ARE STUCK WITH THESE TWO (expletive) HEADS!!!”.
While some critics of President Biden have expressed their approval of the message, many residents find the billboard offensive and unsuitable for public display. Jeanette Flaim, Chair of the Calvert County Democratic Central Committee, has taken a strong stand against the billboard, calling for its removal.
Flaim argues that the explicit imagery and offensive language used on the billboard are inappropriate for children commuting to school and for parents who may have to explain its content. She emphasizes that her concerns extend to Republicans and Independents as well, not just Democrats.
However, the process of removing the billboard is not as simple as Flaim hopes. According to the 2015 Reed v. Town of Gilbert Supreme Court Decision, the offensive message displayed on the billboard may be protected as free speech. County officials, including Buddy Hance, the President of the Board of County Commissioners, indicate that they cannot intervene as long as the language used complies with the law.
Despite the legal protection, Flaim remains unwavering in her fight against the billboard. She acknowledges and respects the presence of a pro-Trump agenda in the area but believes that the current sign goes too far. Flaim urges the creators to consider replacing it with something less controversial and offensive.
The person responsible for the billboard has chosen to remain silent, declining requests for comment. This raises the question: Are they avoiding public scrutiny or letting their sign speak for them?
Reflecting on the divisive atmosphere of the 2020 general election, this explicit billboard serves as a reminder of the polarizing nature of politics. It is crucial to acknowledge that in his first one hundred days in office, President Biden fulfilled his campaign promise of administering 100 million COVID-19 vaccinations, underscoring his commitment to the nation’s well-being.
We value your opinion on this controversial billboard in Maryland. Should it be allowed to remain?
