This article is one of the Left's favorite little tricks, wherein the "jernalist" searches out a singularity, and uses the singularity to "prove" a pet theory.
Thusly:
The singularity: "In Platteville, peace activist Frank Van Den Bosch was arrested for holding up a sign that was critical of the president."
The extension of the singularity to "proof": "Along the route of the Bush bus trip from Dubuque to La Crosse, the Bush team created a "no-free-speech" zone that excluded any expressions of the dissent that is the lifeblood of democracy." A "no-free-speech zone" 120 miles long? Give me a break! Well, I guess it must be true, because Frank Van Den Bosch got arrested.
"Up the road in La Crosse, the clampdown on civil liberties was even more sweeping. Wolf and hundreds of other Wisconsinites and Minnesotans who sought to express dissents were videotaped by authorities, told they could not make noise, ordered not to display certain signs and forced to stand out of eyesight of Bush and his entourage. Again and again, they were told that if they expressed themselves in ways that were entirely protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, they would be "subject to arrest."" Right. I'm supposed to believe a partisan like Wolf on his say-so, and especially because Frank Van Den Bosch got arrested. A "more sweeping" clampdown that produced less arrests.
"The Bush visit attacked First Amendment rights up and down the Mississippi." I guess this must correct, because Frank Van Den Bosch got arrested.
"La Crosse Mayor John Medinger shares that concern. The Bush-Cheney campaign leased a portion of a local park where the royal rally was held. Yet, Wisconsinites who wanted to protest Bush's visit were told they could not use a sound system in a completely different section of the park." We're being instructed on the finer points of an unnamed city park by a guy who already has asserted that the Bush team created a "no-free-speech" zone 120 miles long. Riiggghhht. Well, I suppose it's true, because Frank Van Den Bosch got arrested.
"The Bush-Cheney campaign paid a $100 fee to use one part of the park, but disrupted much of the city." The author has now completed the extension from singularity to general theory, and now feels free to make disguised editorial comments, completely without backing.
Josef Stalin would have been proud of this apparatchik.
I seem to recall something about Clinton getting a haircut on the runway at LAX, screwing up air traffic in a vast section of the nation.
Madison Newspapers logo....
Umm, Einstein, the president is clearly shown to be in a bus (the large, rectangular-shaped object with wheels), which one (with a brain, that is) can only assume has been fitted with bullet-proof plating and windows. So, until your side shows a penchant for the use of rocket propelled grenades (like your ideological allies in the Sunni Triangle), the president is in little danger from crowds along his bus route.
Is Nichols really this stupid? Gee, sound travels, so when one organization rents out a portion of the park, it doesn't want to be drowned out by a bunch of baby-killing treasonous morons (i.e. the average Bush-hater). If Nichols looked into the park's rules, he may find that the same courtesy is extended to other groups that lease the space. I used to work at a state park, and there were very restrictive rules regarding sound equipment, signs, the size and nature of gatherings, alcohol, etc. Its all for the safe and happy enjoyment of all citizens.
Same thing happened under Clinton; witnessed it personally. Where was the outrage then?
With regards banning signs along a road during a political candidate’s drive by – who cares. People can put signs in their front yard, go stand on the street to get on the air on Good Morning America, buy an end-zone seat & wear a t-shirt during a televised football game – whatever.
This author could have written a piece that chronicled when the practice started (Carter?). Make a case as to why he thinks it is improper, why he feels it’s a big deal. He could have requested quotes from those who support & oppose the policy. Instead he chose to write a slanted hit piece designed to make Bush look bad. Why can’t the press (and their editors) just write an unbiased piece against the policy if the don’t like it. Why a hit piece on the President.
For the record, my first impressions is that, I don’t like the practice. But like I said – who cares? There are plenty of opportunities to protest or show your disagreement in this country. I disagree with your impressions of our country – I believe we still live in a free country. But I’d be willing to read an article that laid out both sides of the issue with reason for and against the policy. Then I could make up my own mind. That’s what I look for in a news source, not a biased piece just trying to say Bush does this because he thinks he is a king. That is pathetic journalism, no matter which party the target belongs to.
Now, since I believe I still live in a free country, I’m off to celebrate my freedom by going to the world’s largest outdoor Pork Bar B Que cooking contest with 90,000 kindred spirits. Did I say, world’s largest? Nay the Galaxy’s largest Bar B Que fest in Downtown Memphis, Tennessee. Which by the way is the home State of Al Gore, which he DID NOT carry in 2000. I plan to celebrate my “freedom to choose” between several brands of frosty adult beverages while I freely consume large wasteful amounts of Duck (in gumbo) killed without mercy whilst in flight, followed by several Bar B Que’d furry little creatures of the wood such as deer and turkey killed with a bow and arrow. All the while listing to all types of music, both country and western. I may even get around to the pork ribs, but I doubt it. Now that’s freedom to choose. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
This thread is about penis envy, of the highest order. I include you.
...This is,,, a sensitive issue. The administration is not above criticism, but, there is a time and place to disagree and debate about policy. We are at war. And until it is over, we must be civil, and united as a nation...
This happens with every President. What a bunch of crap.
Did the FUGW lady - not toooo difficult to discern - have the sign ripped out of her hands? (Kerry people would have.)
Has the Secret Service paid her a visit yet at her home; looked into her income tax record? Threatened her? This is what the Dems are KNOWN for. . .it was 'normal procedure for Clinton; Kerry is NOOOOO better; uses the same threatening tactics. . .)
Maybe you have not noticed; but people line the by-ways anytime the President is 'rolling by'. But there are schedules to keep; destinations; they do not just 'stop the bus' and have a town meeting every couple of miles. So you're comlaining that they just 'rolled by'? Yahhhhhh! And so mean!
Are not the Bush's sitting out their daughters graduation because they do not want to disrupt the students and families of an entire graduation class because of them? Remember when Chelsea graduated?
I could go on; but you probably have not read this far anyway.
Forgot the most important. . .check post re Freepers experiences just 'Freepin' against Kerry. . .
So, was he disorderly?
I'm not sure why everyone is so down on you. It maybe that security is such a big issue, but telling people what sort of content they can or cannot have on their signs has nothing to do with security. It also may be that the Clintons were just as bad, but that is not a standard by which I judge the candidates that I support.
Because an assassin might be hanging out with that crowd?
Grow up.
It didn't start with Bush and these SOB's know it!
Yes, the little people are so stupid they wouldn't comprehend this sophisticated wit.
I've visited La Crosse from time to time over my life and enjoyed it, but geeze louise, what a bunch of whining dolts are featured here.
In fact, it was in La Crosse that I almost went to a Clinton rally in '92! I didn't know much about him at the time and a friend and I were going to wander over but it was rainy so changed our minds. I always count my blessings that I didn't come within such close range of pure evil.
But I digress...
King George Bush's bus trip across western Wisconsin closed schools and roads, prevented residents from moving freely in their own communities, and prevented citizens from exercising their free speech rights.
Before these losers chant the mantra of "Poor Us!" maybe they'd like to see what Massachusetts has to go thru for J F'n K's coronation! You want to talk about screwed up traffic? Businesses will have to close EARLY if they want their employees to get home before they are due in the next morning! And FORGET about getting to Logan Airport!!!
Do they think any dissenters will be allowed ANYWHERE near the DNC hoi-poloi? And you haven't even HEARD about what will be done to all the BUMS that are a mainstay on Boston life!