This business should remain open. The first amendment is a part of our Constitution, and should be respected. If we are going to censor this, we will be going down a path the liberals won't want to go down. By the way, I see a lot of bumper stickers that are nasty to Bush, Cheney and Rush Limbaugh, and I have never heard of anyone being shut down because of it. Get REAL.

so in other words

Freedom of speech and the rights for people to have their own opinions, only exists, if what is being said is what certain people want to hear, and only what they want to hear.

here we go again.

wasn't there a story on AOL political machine, before it joined this format, about a man, having a bumper sticker, that some found offensive, and took the wrong way, all because of Mr. Big ZERO.

this GREAT NATION has been built on, each and every citizens right to free speech,

so why now at a time when we were supposed to have crossed into an era where anyone can become president, despite their ethnic background, are we seeing more and more attempts to quell our right to freedom of speech.

maybe some do find things this vender sells as offensive, so what.

how many malls across this GREAT NATION have novelty stores, lingerie stores, sports/hunting supplies stores, or pet stores, etc, etc.

that any or all may sell things that someone will take offense to.

so a pet store sells snakes, someone who is terrified of snakes, sees a snake in one of their display cases, for example,

should that person then have the ability to demand that store be closed down.

no, they simply should avoid that store, same for this vender, if people do not like what is being sold, then simply avoid them.

seems up to a couple of years ago, the people of this GREAT NATION could have opinions about a candidate based on what they had accomplished, their experience, qualifications, their acquaintences, and the like.

but today if you have those same opinions, even though you may have them about several different people, if you have them about Mr. Big ZERO, then you are labeled a racists.

so what if this vender sells things, some find offensive, tough for them, .

easy solution is just don't buy anything from this vender, the buying public will make or break him/her, and that alone should be the deciding facter.

the issue isn't freedom of speech, which, of course, he has. it's an issue of property rights. funny, the conservatives object to boycotts aimed at their viewpoints but have no problem calling for boycotts against networks, et al for airing programs with which they disagree. north carolina didn't surrender after the civil war?? puhleeze.

I am not appalled by the issues but by the sentiments expressed at this kiosk. And THESE are PATRIOTIC AMERICAN CITIZENS?

Mary Curtis, I see I completely wasted my time in speaking to you since the only thing you seem to remember about me is my age and gender. I find it incredibly SHOCKING that you have misquoted me so badly. Obviously, i'm not unhappy about the boycott, I PROMOTED it. Do you not see how you have crammed me into a false stereotype?: The 23-year-old said she is not happy about the boycott for one reason: "As a young girl, I should be allowed to shop."

I DID NOT SAY THAT!

I was the first reporter to break this story, if you really want to know how I feel about the boycott then go to my site (which you OBVIOUSLY did not even bother to visit).

Here is actually what I said (since you have tried so hard to pervert it):

You asked me what I thought about the bumper stickers that said 'Al Quaida's 2 Favorite Days are 9/11/01 and 11/4/08' and 'Impeach Obama.' I told you that a free society is not a pretty society. If you want to live in a society that holds freedom as one of its main values, than you have to be willing to tolerate speech that is offensive. I am a female voter, a hundred years ago the idea of women voting was extremely offensive to a lot of people. But strong women who wanted their voices heard did not worry about being offensive. And because of them I can vote. Most of our great values: freedom, Christianity, equality, etc were offensive at one point in history.

And all you got from my comment was that I am unhappy with the boycott because I want to shop?! What kind of person do you think I am if you think I would prefer shopping over freedom of speech? Maybe you are that shallow, but don't project that onto me.

What is your problem? Not only do you completely misquote me, but you also miss salient facts in your article:
1. Mel Simon, owner of Simon Malls, is one of Obama's biggest contributors. Both Mel and his wife were on Obama's Inaugural committee.
2. Simon Malls was also responsible for closing down the July 4th Tea Party in Atlanta.

Now they are closing down the kiosk. If this is coincidence, then where is our explanation? What other conclusion are we supposed to have?

If you are the standard for the New York Times, the Charlotte Observer and NPR, no wonder people distrust the mainstream media so much. I wouldn't have you write for a middle school newspaper.

I don't imagine this comment will stay up very long. If it doesn't than we will see how you really feel about freedom of speech.

You have requested that the comments do not take a "disrespectful tone.' Too bad you don't hold yourself to the same standards, because you were highly disrespectful to me and your readers.

I guess only Liberals have freedom of speech is that how it works now?

Go to any Spencers Gifts located in all Simon Malls and you will find plenty of Anti Republican Crap but not one Anti Obama sticker?

The owner of Simon Malls just happens to be a big $$$ supporter of the Obama administration I'm sure it's just a coincidence

Most North Carolinians do not want to be associated with the racist hate speech spewers like these ignorant kiosk people. I'm sure they are all good Fox-watching, Limbaugh-listening Republicans, so the more publicity they get the better for the Democratic Party. They are just spitting into the wind.

What do you expect from people who think Jesus was the first NASCAR driver?

Ms. Curtis,

I am not upset that you did not use all of my quotes, I am upset that you completely put words into my mouth that are contrary to my beliefs.

Hailey

His Messages are ugly. Instead of closing him down just ask kin to explain his views. What is meant the North Carolina never surrendered during the Civil War. Is he against the emancipation of Blacks or Civil rights. People like him are the Republican Parties worst nightmare. They preach to the a small choir of right wing extremest and turn the rest of us off the mainstream Republican message.

A mall is a public space extreamest politics on any ilk do not belong there. How would people feel if the Nazi. Communist Party or friends of the Iranian Revolution was selling their paraphenilia in a very public space. It is clear he is in that spot to instigate not educate.

The smart thing to do would be to put a Atheist cart right next to the pro slavery one.

I found a great dating site """"""celebcupid .com """""where you have the opportunity dreaming about dating a millionaire and make it true! u dont have to be a millionaire.but u can meet one. I thought everyone needed to meet some miracle after all the terrible stuff in the news and the economy

Freedon of speech is language that in some ways we do not want to hear, but necessary to understand what we don't know, and correct it for the benifit of all the people

I am from concord nc, I grew up there and left as quickly as I could. This area is known for allowing all of the 1st amendment freedoms as long as they are republican, christian, and conservative. I remember a girl I went to school with got expelled for reading a wiccan book. Thats just sad.