Nerds For Words
Friday, August 17, 2007
  What First Amendment?

Nicole and Jeffrey Rank found themselves surrounded at a public event, handcuffed, removed by police, and held in police custody for around an hour and a half. What crime did they commit? Were they trying to steal something? Did they have a concealed weapon? Were they in possession of illegal substances? Actually, no. They were arrested for wearing anti-Bush t-shirts. The place was the West Virginia state capitol and the year 2004. The venue? A George W. Bush presidential rally. The Ranks were registered Republicans, too, come to peacefully show their dissent as a symbol of their disenchantment with the administration. There was nothing vulgar or obscene on their t-shirts, just slogans like "regime change starts at home." This is what America has come to under our wonderful President Bush.

Today it was announced that the federal government is paying the couple $80,000 to make them (and their ACLU lawsuit) go away. It seems grossly unfair for the American taxpayers to foot the bill for fascist gaffes by Bush's cronies, but hey - we're paying billions a week for a pointless and unwinnable war - so what's another 80 grand?

And do not think this was just a case of security making a blunder. No, investigation into the matter has revealed the existence of a "Presidential Advance Manual" in which Bush officials have mandated certain security procedures at events where President Bush speaks to prevent dissent or protest. Apparently Bush likes it to at least appear that everyone agrees with him, and the easiest way to do that is to keep the ones who don't outside. The manual also calls for groups of young republicans to be trained to shout down any protesters who do get inside, and even block them physically from getting near any video cameras. That's democracy in action!

I know this is probably too obvious to mention, but aren't we fighting in Iraq to bring democracy to the freedom-starved people of that unfortunate country? Well, what about having some democracy here, too? I think we could all use some. I expect to hear of this kind of dissent-killing policymaking in countries led by evil tyrants and ruthless dictators, but in America, the "land of the free?" It's unbelievable what this administration has gotten away with.

So, the government has settled the Ranks' lawsuit. But the most amazing part of the story is this: A government spokesman says, "The parties understand that this settlement is a compromise of disputed claims to avoid the expenses and risks of litigation and is not an admission of fault, liability, or wrongful conduct."

Right. What a class act our government is.
 
Comments:
I felt the same outrage some months ago during a public anti-war rally. I was kicked out because they didn't like my "liberalism is a mental disorder" t-shirt. The police told me I need to join the counter-protesters, and when I refused, they escorted me out. Fascists... why can't everybody of every persuasion just rally together? Bush supporters and Bush haters ... Anti-war & Pro-war ... Black pride & KKK ...... our obsession with separating everyone by belief is ridiculous!
 
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