A recent billboard in Maryland featuring negative caricatures of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris has ignited a heated debate. Positioned prominently in Huntington, Calvert County, along Route 4 and Bowie Shop Road, the billboard displays cartoon representations of the president and VP emerging from piles of cartoon excrement. The accompanying pro-Trump message reads, “DON’T BLAME TRUMP! YOU ARE STUCK WITH THESE TWO (expletive) HEADS!!!”
While the sign has garnered support from Biden’s critics, many Maryland residents find it offensive and unsuitable for public display. Jeanette Flaim, chair of the Calvert County Democratic Central Committee, has taken a firm stance against the billboard, calling for its removal. Flaim argues that the explicit imagery on the billboard is inappropriate for children commuting to school or for parents who have to explain its content.
However, removing the billboard may not be as simple as Flaim hopes. According to the 2015 Reed v. Town of Gilbert Supreme Court Decision, the offensive message displayed on the billboard might be protected as free speech. County officials, including Buddy Hance, the president of the Board of County Commissioners, maintain that they cannot intervene as the language used complies with the law.
Despite the legal protection, Flaim remains determined in her fight against the billboard. Recognizing and respecting the presence of a pro-Trump agenda in the area, she believes that the current sign goes too far and urges the creators to consider replacing it with something less controversial and offensive. Flaim emphasizes that her concerns extend to Republicans and Independents as well, not just Democrats.
The person responsible for the anti-Biden 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 2020 general election and its divisive atmosphere, 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.
What are your thoughts on this controversial billboard in Maryland? Share your opinion: should it be allowed to remain?
