Free speech? Critics clobbered (Bush hypocrisy on independence day in WV)

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

Free speech? Critics clobbered
July 09, 2004
WHEN President Bush made his speech Sunday at the state Capitol, he proclaimed: “On this Fourth of July, we confirm our love of freedom, the freedom for people to speak their minds, the freedom for people to worship as they so choose. Free thought, free expression, that’s what we believe.”

But a Texas couple who tried to speak their minds were hauled away in handcuffs.

Jeff and Nicole Rank, reportedly from Corpus Christi, attended the Statehouse event wearing T-shirts saying “Love America, Hate Bush.”

Charleston police dragged them off on trespassing charges. Sgt. R.E. Parsons said they refused to leave a no-trespassing zone.

Capitol police director Jay Smithers told Wheeling newspapers the couple had tickets for the assembly, and wore jackets to hide their protest shirts as they passed through a security checkpoint, then exposed their shirts. “We asked them to go out to the designated protest area but they refused,” he said. “They told our people they would not leave and sat down on their hands. We didn’t have any choice.”

Yes, police had a choice. They could have let the couple express their anti-Bush feelings, just as others in the crowd were expressing pro-Bush feelings. The Bush supporters weren’t dragged away in handcuffs.

Theoretically, the Independence Day event was a public, patriotic ceremony open to all people of all political views. But it had the flavor of a Republican campaign rally. Many in the Statehouse crowd wore Bush emblems and chanted “four more years.” Party agents passed out Bush buttons and waved voter registration sheets. The couple criticizing Bush stood out as a glaring exception to the GOP mood.

more:
http://wvgazette.com/section/Editorials/2004070819

[tom_paine]

1. There is no real Free Speech in Imperial Amerika

Just what was left over from the Days of the Old Republic and that is fading fast.

Once the Busheviks finish seizing unchecked power, we will find out what their TRUE PLANS are.

[bobbyboucher]

2. Next time try these shirts,

http://www.8643.biz/

Do you think the little brownshirt freepers would be able to figure it out and be willing to explain it to security as they try to get you removed?

It's worth a try.

(Shameless but timely plug, it's my friends site) :spank:

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