Police visit over 'You lack values' postcard sparks First Amendment debate

Minutes before 9 a.m. on Oct. 1, Catherine O'Gara's morning was overwhelmed by two sounds: Loud knocks on the door of her Pinellas County home, and the barking from her Australian shepherd, Red.

Of all reasons to open the door, she didn't expect two armed police officers. They were looking, it turns out, for her husband James.

It was all over a postcard that said only, "YOU LACK VALUES," in the ink of a large black marker. The recipient? Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia.

The officers said: " 'Hey listen, don't worry. There's nothing wrong. It's OK,' " she told the USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida. The 69-year-old Largo resident told them they would not be allowed inside the house, then she turned to get her husband. ...................................(more)

https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/local/state/2025/10/10/police-visit-over-postcard-to-florida-cfo-alarms-free-speech-experts/86601276007/