Quick, Somebody Locate A Bill Of Rights

I think there's a pretty bipartisan agreement among powerbrokers and political advance teams to marginalize dissent around their Presidential candidates. We'll see "freedom cages" full of protesters kept out of earshot of convention delegates in Denver AND St. Paul. However, there is a pretty crucial difference here; while dissent through new media organizing is tolerated on Barack Obama's campaign website, and while he actually took the time to address those concerns (unsatisfying, but nevertheless unprecedented), on the Republican side any protest whatsoever produces this kind of reaction.

DENVER, Colo.-On orders from Senator John McCain's security detail, Denver police escorted a 61-year-old woman away who was waiting in line to attend a so-called town hall meeting with McCain that was billed as open to the public.

Carol Kreck, who works as a librarian in Denver, held a homemade sign reading "McCain = Bush." On orders from McCain's security detail, police cited her for trespassing and escorted her to the sidewalk. She was told if she returned she would be arrested.

"And all I did was carry a sign that said McCain = Bush," Kreck said. "And for everyone who voted for Bush, I don't see why it's offensive to say McCain = Bush."

In defense of McCain, this was a dangerous woman and a real security risk to the state:



How come they didn't bug the dude to her right with the green shirt and the McCain-Bush peapod? Could they not wrap their heads around the allusion? Or is it just that the Denver PD primarily identifies 5'0" women in cozy sweaters as emerging threats?

Actually, they dumped the peapod guy out of the line as well. You have to watch the video. They charged this lady with trespassing for carrying a sign.



(In case you can't see the pic and the video, they're at the link.)

"O'er the land of the freeeeeee...."

Your President Hates You

This report about the lengths to which the Bush Admnistration will go to shield and crush dissent is astonishing.

A White House manual that came to light recently gives presidential advance staffers extensive instructions in the art of "deterring potential protestors" from President Bush's public appearances around the country.

Among other things, any event must be open only to those with tickets tightly controlled by organizers. Those entering must be screened in case they are hiding secret signs. Any anti-Bush demonstrators who manage to get in anyway should be shouted down by "rally squads" stationed in strategic locations. And if that does not work, they should be thrown out.

But that does not mean the White House is against dissent -- just so long as the president does not see it. In fact, the manual outlines a specific system for those who disagree with the president to voice their views. It directs the White House advance staff to ask local police "to designate a protest area where demonstrators can be placed, preferably not in the view of the event site or motorcade route." [...]

The manual offers advance staffers and volunteers who help set up presidential events guidelines for assembling crowds. Those invited into a VIP section on or near the stage, for instance, must be " extremely supportive of the Administration," it says. While the Secret Service screens audiences only for possible threats, the manual says, volunteers should examine people before they reach security checkpoints and look out for signs. Make sure to look for "folded cloth signs," it advises.

To counter any demonstrators who do get in, advance teams are told to create "rally squads" of volunteers with large hand-held signs, placards or banners with "favorable messages." Squads should be placed in strategic locations and "at least one squad should be 'roaming' throughout the perimeter of the event to look for potential problems," the manual says.

We have the most fragile ego in the free world as the purported leader of it. He literally can't be allowed to SEE protest of his Administration and his policies.

He's the President of 28% of America.