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Ritz-Carlton Reimburses Tea Partiers After First Amendment Flap

HOTEL PAYS FOR ROOM OF GUESTS IT INSULTED …  The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Amelia Island, Florida has reportedly reimbursed a Tea Party protester who was forbidden from displaying his flag at the facility last weekend. William Temple – a former employee of the U.S. Secret Service and officer in the…

HOTEL PAYS FOR ROOM OF GUESTS IT INSULTED … 

The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Amelia Island, Florida has reportedly reimbursed a Tea Party protester who was forbidden from displaying his flag at the facility last weekend.

William Temple – a former employee of the U.S. Secret Service and officer in the U.S. Air Force – was prohibited from displaying his Gadsden Flag (the famous yellow “Don’t Tread on Me” banner) during an exclusive gathering of liberal “Republican” lawmakers at the swanky Florida resort.

The event – which featured GOP majority leader Eric Cantor and majority whip Kevin McCarthy – drew outrage from limited government supporters.

“The Ritz-Carlton is reimbursing me for the entire $619.63 for the room I used on April 12,” Temple wrote on his Facebook page. “I contacted their hotel manager and told him that I was outraged at the violation of my first amendment rights, expected a complete and formal written apology from the hotel, and complete repayment of the expenses incurred as restitution! He notified me that the hotel would comply.”

Hotel officials – who have refused to answer some of the most basic questions about their facility as it relates to hosting this event – declined to confirm Temple’s account.

“I am unable to discuss details of transactions we have made with anyone,” said Allison Sitch, Ritz-Carlton’s vice president of global public relations.

Hmmmm-kay.

Of course it is worth noting that Temple posted his message regarding the reimbursement right around the time our website sent an email to Ritz-Carlton’s corporate public relations office raising questions about a “paying guest at your hotel who identified himself as a member of the Tea Party (who) was not permitted to wear a specific piece of fabric around his shoulders on the premises.”

FITS founding editor Will Folks – the only reporter who attended the gathering – took video of the exchange between Temple and hotel security. That clip will be included as part of a sprawling feature on the retreat that he is preparing for national publication later this week.

Needless to say, it’s gonna be one helluva read.

Stay tuned …

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48 comments

SCBlueWoman April 15, 2014 at 10:19 am

The Ritz shouldn’t have backed down.

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Jackie Chiles April 15, 2014 at 10:32 am

MUST BAN ALL GADSDEN FLAGS TO PROTECT AMERICA’S FREEDOM

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Wingnut butthurt parade April 15, 2014 at 11:16 am

It probably didn’t.

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Smirks April 15, 2014 at 11:47 am

Ehh, it’s just a flag. It’s their choice, but whatever. They made the decision in all likelihood to protect their wallets.

(Wouldn’t it be funny if they did the initial offense at the request of other Republicans attending the event?)

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guest April 15, 2014 at 5:04 pm

I’m surprised they didn’t kick them out if what he posted on Facebook is true. Clanking tea posts and chanting wouldn’t set well with me at the breakfast buffet.

“For the rest of Sat. evening we wandered in the hall to Cantor’s speech, greeting RINOs with our tea pots and “Up the Revolution” as they proceeded there! Great fun! We continued that at the buffet breakfast this morning and in the hall during McCarthy’s speech!”

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jimlewisowb April 15, 2014 at 10:30 am

Betcha a pitcher of ying ling if he had wrapped himself in a Mexico flag they would have kissed his ass

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Smirks April 15, 2014 at 11:37 am

This is Florida we’re talking about, it would have to be Cuba’s flag.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein April 15, 2014 at 10:42 am

FITS founding editor Will Folks – the only reporter who attended the gathering – took video of the exchange between Temple and hotel security. That clip will be included as part of a sprawling feature on the retreat that he is preparing for national publication later this week.

Needless to say, it’s gonna be one helluva read.

TBG admires our founding editor’s humility.

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First Cuckold April 15, 2014 at 10:42 am

Will it be as good as the Haley book? I cant put that one down

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Smirks April 15, 2014 at 11:37 am

I cant put that one down

Your mistake was picking it up.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein April 16, 2014 at 1:15 pm

Your mistake was picking it up.

Not a mistake…..a miracle!!!!

*Prepares for Apocalypse*

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CorruptionInColumbia April 15, 2014 at 10:46 am

I’ll be looking forward to it!

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Kim April 15, 2014 at 10:50 am

Teabaggers what a bunch of idiots..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77rtyQf6Hwk

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Original Good Old Boy April 15, 2014 at 11:06 am

There was never a “First Amendment flap.” Surely, Will, you know that the First Amendment applies to government action, not action by a private company, which can generally set its own rules.

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Uh huh April 15, 2014 at 11:36 am

“Surely, Will, you know that the First Amendment applies to government action, not action by a private company”

But that doesn’t fit the narrative and then he wouldn’t have a reason to post his video….thereby reducing the number of clicks….

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Smirks April 15, 2014 at 11:43 am

I do agree with that. Freedom of speech and expression don’t mean freedom to stay on someone’s property while speaking or expressing oneself.

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McD April 15, 2014 at 11:13 am

“a former employee of the U.S. Secret Service and officer in the U.S. Air Force”

Why does someone’s military service and police service give them the right to play dress up and attend an otherwise private event? This is not about the First Amendment at all.

Augusta National Golf Club, for example, is well within its rights to ban “signs and banners” during the tournament because it is THEIR tournament – much in the same way the Ritz Carlton owns the property in Amelia Island.

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Smirks April 15, 2014 at 11:39 am

They probably don’t want the bad publicity.

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You're an attention whore April 15, 2014 at 3:05 pm

Is it just me, or do you seem to glom on to what ever comment is getting the most thumbs up?

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Smirks April 15, 2014 at 3:06 pm

Butthurt much?

I comment on other peoples’ posts quite a bit, often while they have hardly any votes. You’re welcome to your conspiracy theories, though.

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You're an attention whore April 15, 2014 at 4:30 pm

Well I guess it’s just me then.

Why would I be butthurt over that btw? Are you projecting?

rebellozit April 15, 2014 at 7:44 pm

BINGO!!

Jackie Chiles April 15, 2014 at 4:07 pm

If it was a former Secret Service member and officer in the Air Force gallivanting around in women’s clothes with a rainbow flag at the Ritz and got asked to leave, you’d be crying your eyes out about the first amendment violation.

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rebellozit April 15, 2014 at 7:46 pm

OUTSTANDING!!

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Jesus H. Christ April 15, 2014 at 11:14 am

The First Amendment doesn’t apply here.

For fuck’s sake.

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GrandTango April 15, 2014 at 11:50 am

Hate to break it you ya’…Even Conservative Americans are entitled to the guarantees under the US Constitution…

That’s why you liberals HATE it so much…it’s not like the Communist Manifesto…that allows only fascists, like you, to persecute and prosecute (see Obama) the people you hate…

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Jesus H. Christ! April 15, 2014 at 2:35 pm

Look here, Grand Tardo, the First Amendment does not apply to PRIVATE actors. You goober.

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Smirks April 15, 2014 at 3:02 pm

Even Conservative Americans are entitled to the guarantees under the US Constitution…

The general problem with morons like you is that you think you are entitled to free speech, which you are, but with impunity, which you are not. Your heroes are infallible, even when they say the most outright offensive things. Their business can’t be boycotted, their show can’t be cancelled, companies can’t cancel their advertisements on their show, they can’t be considered a bigot or a racist, and any heckling is purely unfair and wrong. They have to be able to say anything they want, no matter how offensive, and you have to listen and like it.

I say someone should troll this moron by getting a Soviet Russian flag and waving it in front of GT’s house, right on his front yard. When GT inevitably rouses from his mother’s basement and confronts the person, they should feign outrage at their First Amendment rights being trampled on and demand a written apology.

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GrandTango April 15, 2014 at 3:58 pm

Are you a Dumb@$$ or what…you just listed every liberal dirty trick incorporated to try to silence truth that exposes you….

Yall are just p!$$#d because you still get caught for the corrupt Nazi B@$%@rds you are…

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rebellozit April 15, 2014 at 8:32 pm

“I say someone should troll this moron by getting a Soviet Russian flag and waving it in front of GT’s house, right on his front yard. When GT inevitably rouses from his mother’s basement and confronts the person, they should feign outrage at their First Amendment rights being trampled on and demand a written apology.”
Get him/her Smjerks!Try and incite violence by having one of your ‘boy’ friends wave Obamas’ favorite flag against a contributor cause your sorry arse can’t debate?Thumbs down loser!
An obvious OWS tactic now being employed by Harry Reid in Nevada.

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GrandTango April 15, 2014 at 11:14 am

Good: These liberals are sticking their noses out..and getting the $#!* slapped out of them…
We have “Corporations” that the disgusting liberals HATE…flying in the face of freedom, but sucking up to the Gay-Gestapo, Radical race-haters and Nazi feminists…
They may find out soon, the people that allow them to be free, will treat them, just like we treated Hitler and the democrat Salve-owners…
Fascists, even in this country, will not be allowed to attack the BEST of us…just because Obama, and the left, hate us…

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Bible Thumper April 15, 2014 at 1:26 pm

“Will Folks – the only reporter who attended the gathering”. What news organization do you work for?

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GrandTango April 15, 2014 at 1:31 pm

Was FITS there on behalf of Sanford and other establishment Congressmen: Eric Cantor and majority whip Kevin McCarthy???..
This flag guy was likely protesting FITS. Will FITS do a Hit Piece on the Tea Party???…

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Economic Undevelopment April 15, 2014 at 2:13 pm

Hey FITS, thought you might like to know : CAT plant in Fountain Inn is dead! 3 months tops – all the mgrs have secured spots elsewhere but employees are still in the dark.
Why don’t ya give the gubna a call and get a comment. I will send you my bill for doing some actual reporting on BREAKING NEWS before it breaks. You’re welcome. BTW I mentioned this a few months ago on one of the give the governor hell articles you did but nobody bit.

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Constantine April 15, 2014 at 2:47 pm

Since when could private enterprise violate your First Amendment right? It only applies to government actors. Come on Fits your a libertarian, don’t you have a right to tell people to f*&k off on your own property?

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Frauds April 15, 2014 at 2:57 pm

“Come on Fits your a libertarian, don’t you have a right to tell people to f*&k off on your own property?”

He’s a Cato libertarian, which means:

1. Taxes are ‘ok’ sometimes
2. Intervention is ‘ok’ sometimes(google Cato & Crimea/Ukranin/Russia)
3. Property rights are just ‘ok’ sometimes(see #1)

Why is this? Because they have no firm principles. Hard core libertarians believe in property rights strictly and the non aggression principle, that’s why Cato stole Murray Rothbard’s shares and kicked him out-they don’t like having strict principles..it’s too constraining for them.

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really April 15, 2014 at 4:42 pm

so a rainbow flag can be banned from hotels? what about flags of Muslim symbols…are they banned by the RC, too?

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Yes, really April 15, 2014 at 4:45 pm

It’s their property, they should be able do whatever they want to on it theoretically-although property rights aren’t that important anymore in the USSA…and we aren’t talking reality either.

High minded ideals and discussion have gone the way of Honey Boo Boo in the USSA now.

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Fits Aint No Republican April 15, 2014 at 3:44 pm

Yes,Eric Cantor is a well know. “Liberal.”

Silliness.

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Thomas April 15, 2014 at 5:44 pm

A couple of tid bits come up from casual searches on the Fits road trip to FLA:

Senate Conservative Fund PAC
J.H. Williams
Republican Main Street Partnership Super PAC
Main Street Advocacy
Brent Bozell III
Senate Conservatives Action Super PAC
For America conservative 501c4 organization
Erick Erickson
George Soros
Fundraiser

…all this during the Masters and the Southern 500? Some road trip.

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Bible Thumper April 15, 2014 at 7:24 pm

Many posts argue that this is not a first amendment issue. It is private property, however Mr. Temple did rent a room and paid for use of common areas.

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rebellozit April 15, 2014 at 8:17 pm

huh?

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rebellozit April 15, 2014 at 8:15 pm

William Temple – a former employee of the U.S. Secret Service and officer in the U.S. Air Force – was prohibited from displaying his Gadsden Flag (the famous yellow “Don’t Tread on Me” banner) during an exclusive gathering of liberal “Republican” lawmakers at the swanky Florida resort.
Read more at https://www.fitsnews.com/2014/04/15/ritz-carlton-reimburses-tea-partiers-insulted/#wfqYq4dIAs8HjGK7.99
Who cares if a fool wants to act like a 6 year-old and parade around in a costume?Private property issue as much as I hate it.In my opinion ONLY, if the dude had a ‘rainbow’ flag with condoms taped on or a flag with Obamas’ pic or a muslim brotherhood insignia he would not have been bothered.I care more about the list of LIBERAL ‘Republican’ lawmakers that attended this event.Can we get that?We got to know who the ‘enemy’ is prior to the 2014 elections and defeat them at the ballot box.
I would rather the Democrats retain the senate and Boehner be defeated than electing one of these RINOS’ in attendence.Goal for conservatives is 2016,NOT 2014.It means nothing.

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GrumpyCoot April 15, 2014 at 8:24 pm

Hotel will comp you when you complain about a dirty towel this is no big whoopty doo

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Mike at the Beach April 15, 2014 at 9:24 pm

Former Secret Service “employee?” That smacks of an administrative post. USSS agents refer to themselves as just that, agents. The uniformed USSS officers likewise refer to themselves as officers. Not that *any* type of past employment translates into the right to disrupt the operation of a private business, but it sounded like a little resume inflation.

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Gregory Geddings April 16, 2014 at 9:36 am

Don’t get Will started on this activist “journalism” thing. Next thing you know he will be doing an Alex Jones… standing out on the street at venues where Nikki Haley is scheduled to appear.

I can see him now….screaming through a bullhorn.

“2-4-6
Masturbate!
Down with the pussy I once ate!”

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Gregory Geddings April 16, 2014 at 9:47 am

Is this “sprawling feature” going to appear before, after, or between the following:
1) Your move away from Columbia
2) The publication of your tell-all book
?????????

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euwe max April 16, 2014 at 5:04 pm

It was probably the whole “short bus” mentality they drug into the place with them.

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