Activist Ben Masel never shied from exercising his rights

[undeterred]

JOHN NICHOLS | The Capital Times | [e-mail] madison.com | (4) Comments | Posted: Monday, May 2, 2011



Ben Masel loved liberty. No, not talking about liberty, in the way that self-serving politicians and pontificating pundits do. Liberty was his passion, his avocation, his life's work. Even as he was battling the lung cancer that would end his remarkable life, Masel kept struggling to make real the promise of freedom that has been so often made and so frequently denied to Americans.

A few weeks ago, on a break between radiation and chemotherapy treatments, Masel was outside the Willy Street Co-op promoting the latest of his political projects when a manager informed him that the activity was not allowed. Masel stood his ground. The police were called and they informed the veteran of 40 years of speaking truth to power that he had to cease his campaigning. Actually, Masel informed the officers, he had every right to exercise his rights in so public a place. He directed them to review a specific section on a specific page of a specific set of rules and regulations. The manual was retrieved and reviewed and, when all was said and done, Masel's assessment of his rights — and those of all who dare dissent — was accepted.

"Ben knew the laws better than the police did," explained his longtime friend Amy Gros-Louis, echoing a sentiment shared by judges, lawyers and the many police officers who came to regard Masel with a mix of frustration, awe and, eventually, respect.

So it was with Masel, whose death Saturday at age 56 robbed Madison, Wisconsin and the United States of one of the truest champions of the Constitution, the rule of law, and the founding faith that the freedoms outlined in the Bill of Rights are not just ideals; they are practical tools to be used on a daily basis to challenge the powerful, to offend the elites, to tip the balance toward some rough equivalent of justice.

http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opinion/column/john_nichols/article_8fbe344a-74d7-11e0-aad4-001cc4c03286.html

Ben, thanks for showing me what it means to speak out. We will miss you in Madison. :patriot:

[Scuba]

1. Miss you Ben.