November 3, 2010 6:33 AM

Rule #1: Don't be a dick

THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD

(apologies to Keith Olbermann)

Robert Ekas

A few months ago, I wrote about Robert Ekas, a local man who achieved his 15 minutes of fame for repeated acts of childish immaturity. Ekas, about whom I wrote that his “idea of protected free speech involves flipping the bird to police officers”, has exacted his pound of flesh from Clackamas County and can claim “victory” in his fight for free speech.

I’m a big proponent of freedom of speech and expression, but there’s also a point where one crosses from the realm of the sublime to that of the silly and immature. Whatever your particular issue(s) may be with law enforcement, it shouldn’t take a Ph.D. to recognize that those who wear a badge and a uniform have a tough and often dangerous job. Flipping the bird to a law enforcement officer simply because you can and want to exercise your freedom of speech and expression is…well, just plain stupid and immature.

Ekas filed suit against the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office after a deputy pulled him over for flipping him off. Granted, the deputy could have done a better job of recognizing that Ekas was merely being a dick. It’s what Ekas does, and while it’s as stupid as the day is long, it’s certainly not criminal. Nonetheless, the deputy’s response was understandable, if a bit heavy-handed. No one likes to be obviously and openly disrespected, especially when there’s no valid reason for it. Still, I suppose the deputy could and probably should have demonstrated himself to be the better person. Given what he was up against, it’s not as if demonstrating himself to be the better person would have been any great challenge.

Ekas’ case drew national and even international attention, including an extended spot on the faux-news program The Colbert Report with satirist Steven Colbert.

Clackamas County officials settled out of court with Ekas for $4,000, saying the settlement was “a business decision” and less expensive that carrying through with the trial.

Ekas defended the award and his pending court case, saying “to express dissent to a state official and then to be retaliated against for that dissent is absolutely unlawful. If their actions had been lawful, my case would have been thrown out.”

Yeah, right. Ekas was being a dick, and a sheriff’s deputy overreacted. Except for Ekas’ oversized ego and inflated sense of self-importance, this would (and should) be a non-issue. Yes, in the strict sense I suppose this IS a free speech issue…but let’s be real here. When you get right down to it, Ekas was being a dick, and he’s proud of it. While flipping the bird certainly isn’t a crime, would it be too much to expect that law enforcement be accorded a modicum of respect for the job they do in protecting us? After all, who do you think Robert Ekas is going to call when someone breaks into his house? No hypocrisy there, eh?

How about we go to Ekas’ workplace, stand at his desk, and spend the day flipping him off and disrespecting him? Nah, I don’t think he’d get it. Somehow, I think turning the tables would be lost on him, as wrapped up in his own self-righteousness as he is.

Yes, Robert Ekas has his “victory”. He “won”…if only because Clackamas County decided that the lowest ultimate cost to taxpayers would be to settle. In doing so, I think they clearly demonstrated who the bigger person is…and it’s not Ekas. Winning doesn’t always reveal you to be a winner; sometimes it just lays bare the reality that you’re a dick.

Here’s the truly sad aspect of this sorry saga: if memory serves, Ekas is a parent. Imagine growing up with a dick like that for a father. Sure, Ekas will crow to his offspring that he fought “the Man” and won a rousing victory for freedom of speech and expression. Any kid with half a brain will listen to that and think “Dad, you’re a dick.”…and they’d be correct in that assessment.

Personally, I hope Eaks chokes on his $4000 settlement. It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

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This page contains a single entry by Jack Cluth published on November 3, 2010 6:33 AM.

Roseanne Cash: my new hero was the previous entry in this blog.

America would be a much better place if Americans could do one simple thing is the next entry in this blog.

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