We are 'suppose' to be a nation of 'free speech.' So why the restrictions at rally's? Why the 'designated area' for protestors? For both Democrats and Republicans, if you didn't know, there are areas in which protestors are ONLY allowed. Of course, those areas are far away, nowhere near where the rally's are held.
Codepink co-founder Medea Benjamin was escorted out of a PEACE rally for wearing a tshirt that said 'Bring Our Troops Home.' Let me restate that... a PEACEFUL rally.
This is the problem that I have with our hypocritic government. We are told by our "SELECTED" members of government how we are fortunate to live in a Democracy yet when we attempt to use these 'freedoms,' we are gagged and kicked out.
What government official (democratic or republican) has ANY right to gag me or anyone just using his or her free speech in a peaceful way??
As most of you know, Andrew Meyer was tasered with 500 volts of electricity during a Kerry rally. Andrew was reported to be 'badgering' Kerry and yelling. He was then escorted and then tasered. Was it completely necessary? If Andrew was resisting and being non-compliant, the officers need to do what they need to do in order for their safety but where is that line drawn?
If I want to show up to a Bush rally and wear my 'fuck bush' tshirt, I have every right to wear it. I am expressing my freedom of speech in a peaceful manner.
The Government wants us to be proud and they want to have other countries emulate the Democracy that we are fortunate to have yet it seems to come at a price. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely happy that I come from the United States, my concern is the duplicitousness that we seem to be encountering.
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There are NECESSARY limits on what you can and can't do. Just because you're not using physical violence, it doesn't mean that you can do whatever you want.
This Andrew Meyer, he was infringing on John Kerry's free speech. Kerry was the one who organized the rally. If Mr. Meyer wanted to state his opinion, he should've gone someplace else where he wouldn't be infringing on other people's rights.
Peaceful democratic society depends on the responsibility of indiviuals to use their rights wisely. When they obviously aren't, it is the chartered government's responsibility to prevent them from harming others and their rights.
As I stated in my writing that if he was resisting and being non compliant.. then do whatever needs to be done to ensure a peaceful environment. My issue would be to kick someone out for the apparel that they are wearing.
JM
As far as being escorted out due to apparel, that does seem to be glaring infringement on freedom of expression, (do you have link for that by the way?)
Medea was featured on Chris Matthews' 'Hardball' yesterday, you can check MSNBC for a transcript or even try codepink.org.
JM
its codepink4peace.org
JM
alright thanks.
I agreed with everything you said until the last paragraph. The government does NOT want us to be proud and have other countries emulating our "democracy." It wants to brainwash everyone into thinking they are perfect, and always come out on top. They don't really care what we think at this point, that's why our policy right now is completely contrary to what the majority of the people want, hence it not really being a democracy. Frankly, I don't think voting between a few pre-appointed officials is enough to constitute a democracy. And... I am in no way happy that I come from the United States. At all. I would choose any other developed country over it. I'm proud of my state, that's about it.