Back In The USSR
Well, not quite. Speech is still free in the US -- as long as nobody can hear those objectionable things you're saying. James Bovard reports on so-called "free-speech zones":
Attempts to suppress protesters become more disturbing in light of the Homeland Security Department's recommendation that local police departments view critics of the war on terrorism as potential terrorists. In a May terrorist advisory, the Homeland Security Department warned local law enforcement agencies to keep an eye on anyone who "expressed dislike of attitudes and decisions of the U.S. government." If police vigorously followed this advice, millions of Americans could be added to the official lists of suspected terrorists.
Excuse me, but when do we all get terrified about the continuing eradication of rights in the name of "national security"?
UPDATE: Longtime political dissenter Brent Bursey is fined $500 for breaking a a federal law "designed to shield the president from harm," reports Clif LeBlanc, in a story in the Columbia, South Carolina newspaper The State.
(via David "Tell Me Everything" Rensin)
This kind of news is beginning to make me weary, like I want to take a 15-year vacation and never have to hear about the Dept. of Homeland ANYTHING anymore.
Our prospects for 2004: A presidential election, with all the associated flatulence. (Mr. Lieberman, please go away forever.) I want to create a new cocktail called "Head in the Sand" and live on a steady diet of them until all the campaigning has passed.
Lena at January 7, 2004 10:11 PM
Sounds good to me, Lena.
As for "free-speech zones," silly me. I thought the whole country was a free speech zone! I would love to be the mayor of some city where Bush is visiting. Just so I could say, "Ain't gonna happen" when I am told to create free speech zones to keep the protestors out of sight.
Patrick at January 8, 2004 4:00 AM