Originally Posted by Travellin' Fool
How exactly was he penalized? He was hassled a bit but not anywhere near any seriousness. I just don't understand how he was a martyr for free speech so please stop making him look like some sort of hero standing up for the downtrodden. As I've said before, I think it was a funny prank and I'd do the same thing, but to compare it to some revolutionary stand... i think not.
The additional scrutiny that resulted due to constitutionally-protected writings is a hassle; the additional scrutiny was a penalty applied because of the constitutionally-protected writing on the bag. That's how he was penalized. The penalty included being subject to a law enforcement fishing expedition, including a NCIC check that would not have come about in the absence of the constitutionally-protected writings on a bag.