Sunday, September 28, 2008

Gestapo II - An Anti-Free-Speech-Zone!

The Obama campaign continues to show the tactics that will be employed if this Chicago-Politics-As-Usual candidate is elected.

Now free speech, a cornerstone of our society is being modified by the Obama crew....all in the name of security.

From the Fredericksburg Free Lance Star about the crisis of constitutional rights for an appearance by "The One" at the University of Mary Washington:

"NOT ALL COUNTRIES guarantee their citizens the right to virtually unbridled freedom of speech. The United States does. Would someone please tell the campaign of Sen. Barack Obama? And the dozing guardians of liberty at the University of Mary Washington?

Mr. Obama, the Democratic nominee for president, is scheduled to speak at a rally at the university today. The public is invited to this forum, on property it, the public, owns. However, signs and banners will not be allowed, according to the organizers and compliant campus officials. Suddenly, UMW is a First Amendment-Free, or at least a First Amendment-Crippled, Zone, subject to the self-serving preferences of politicos. Why does an Obama rally–or a McCain rally or a Nader rally–justify taking a little off the top of Americans’ most fundamental rights?

A UMW spokeswoman says that the Obama campaign required the sign-and-banner ban. That campaign tells us that the ban is for “security” reasons. But a spokesman for the U.S. Secret Service, responsible for protecting presidential candidates, says that the service has no objection to signs at rallies, provided that no “part of the sign could be used as a weapon”–e.g., a heavy metal pole or a sharpened stick. Finally, the McCain campaign tells us, “We encourage people to make signs at our events.” (my color emphasis added)

Why is there a deafening silence from the supposed 4th estate about this direct infringement upon our free speech rights?

Anybody wanna bet what the attitude will be once "The One" is in office, and how much the FBI, and DOJ will be used as implements to silence any one who would speak against Obama?

I find this horrendous, and surely hope there will be a lawsuit filed, and a few leaders at UMW taken to task for the offense.

Duke