Florida TV Frets Over Obama Joker Posters in Orlando Suburb

Some Obama Joker posters have shown up in an Orlando, Florida, suburb, and a local television station isn't happy about it.

To be fair, some have been placed on federal and private property such as public garbage cans and mail boxes potentially constituting vandalism.

However, a teenager has already admitted putting up some of the posters, and reports suggest kids are responsible for the remainder.

Despite this, Orlando's WFTV presented the issue in an astonishingly grave fashion (video embedded below the fold):

Interesting that they couldn't find one person who thought this was a demonstration of free speech held quite dear to Americans. Also missing was any reference to kids and teenagers being responsible.

The segment did tell viewers that the posters were likely tied to a contest started by syndicated radio host Alex Jones on August 6. However, as you can see from the following video, Jones also wants people to put up Bush Joker posters:

Also missing from WFTV's report was that Jones at his website made the following crystal clear: 

Note: Obama Joker posters should be posted in public commons where other fliers, public announcements, handbills, etc., are posted. Please do not post on federal or private property as this will be considered vandalism and will be counterproductive and diminish the message of the Obama Joker poster.

In the end, nobody condones vandalism. And, according to the 2000 census, Clermont is a small town with a population under 10,000. As such, maybe there aren't many areas for the posting of fliers, public announcements, and handbills.

Even so, as this was an Orlando television station, the folks involved in this report are certainly aware that posters of all kinds are displayed all over America's cities.

With this in mind, a little bit more balance would have been appropriate.