Arresting someone for exercising their freedom of speech is surely a serious matter. But, the unanswered question is: Exactly WHERE is that $80,000 Bush administration fine money coming from? Taxpayers??

Perhaps Cheney could easily cough it up, seeing that he has spend most but four years of his adult life in public service, but has "somehow" managed to gain a net worth over $100 million. Hmmm. Government work must pay well.

Oops! National security violation revealing that. Secret Service outside my door....

1. All politicians are greasy, and this is a reflection thereof

2. The level of greasy-ness increases exponentialy once the greaser is the president...this becomes government-sanctioned grease.

3. If you think your constitutional rights are still intact and/or that this is "for the best, or the terrorists win", you are on crack or possibly have no self-sustaining brain functions. The point of dissent is so we can act as a people if our government ceases to function in its intended manner, and make plans to resolve the situation, using our toolbox of voting, political pressure, or, last choice, outright revolt. If we can't protest (except in some friggin' corner in the backlot three blocks away from the arena), we can't rally supporters and pressure elected officials, and we the people are no longer in charge.

I'm sure all presidents have programs like this. If there are folks who disrupt, remove them. These t-shirts, however, are "freedom" of speech". The couple should never have been removed. Certainly not for a silent demonstration which would not have disrupted anyone. I hope they enjoy the $80,000. It is rightfully thiers. Let this decision in thier favor be a warning to all who would silence the voice of the American people. A "tip of the hat" too for the ACLU on this one.

It is a pretty sad state when our elected leaders do not have a skin thick enough to be allowed to witness protesters at an event paid for by taxpayers. Surely they do not believe that every person who attends their political outings are supportive of all of the candidate/office holders positions. That is naive beyond belief. If our leaders could actually see and hear the views of their constituents, maybe they would do a better job representing the people. As it is, most live their own very protected and isolated world with little clue of what the real world is like.

Here's a thought: Freedom of speech is a GUARANTEED constitutional right. (1st amendment, NOT an afterthought!)
We fight wars to defend our constitutional rights and way of life, and people die. (Our enemies)
Yet, here, on American Soil, our Commander-in-Chief can VIOLATE our right to free speech, and not only live to tell about it, but just pay them off to forget about it.
Tell me, where is the justice in that?
Do our rights come w/ a price attached to them?
To me, being an American is PRICELESS, and so are my rights.
I've put my life on the line to defend these rights and it ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTS ME to see George W. Bush (or anyone for that matter) violate these rights.
SHAME ON YOU GEORGE!! No American should EVER be treated like this by ANYBODY! Much less, our fairly elected,(eyes rolling) Commander-in-Chief. I'm truly ashamed to call you a fellow American.
You break all the rules and re-write them to suit you. I can't wait to see how God judges you.

To say that Kerry's group was doing the same thing is comparing apple and oranges. What made this action different, was that Kerry's was at a campain event. The people that sued GW were at a taxpayer paid event.

That's a BIG BIG Difference.

Yeah, it would have been much better if they did what the Dems do - hire union thugs to attack dissenters, even if they're children.

America (the corprocracy it TRULY is); Land of the fee & home of the slave.

That is a ridiculous statement. There is NO difference between the two. Although I agree Bush was wrong it is ignorant to state that Kerry had the right to violate the SAME first amendment just because it was a campaign event. Are campaign events mentioned in the constitution? I didn't think so. I find it disturbing that the people who complain the most about violation of first amendment rights are the very same people who would not hesitate to violate MY first amendment rights if my opinion differs from theirs. Liberals are the WORST VIOLATORS. If you disagree with them then you are a racist, or a bigot, or a zionist pig, or warmonger. Before you criticize Bush, perhaps you should take a long look at the suppression of free speech that goes on at many left-wing events. All I hear in this blog are hypocrites.

OK. Let's review.

David says that Cheney should pay for this since he actually made money. How about getting John Edwards to pitch in as well? that is only 220 haircuts or a small portion of what he got paid to "study" poverty. And David, that isn't the Secret Service at your door. You aren't as "dangerous" as you think. It is probably just Domino's with your lunch.

This has been a regular part of the Bush Administrations antics since the election was stolen in Florida. If you oppose Bush, you are not patriotic and the evquivilant of a Terrorist supporter. To be fair...It has always worked. Karl Rove is an evil genius who should be recruited by the Dems.

I'll give you 10-1 odds that this stor
story won't be on World News Tonightl.

This event is another aspect of how dearly this administration covorts wildly all over the constitution, while at the same time using the defense of it as justification for any and all action to further the precious adgenda.

This is mind control ladies and gentlemen. Hicks don't mix with politics. Take the power back.

Since these were unlawful arrests, how about charging all involved - from the arresting officers right up the line - with unlawful imprisonment and/or making false reports, and make THEM spend some time in jail.

Ah... that would be too simple, I suppose, but it would sure be justified and it would chill this sort of behavior.

Status Quo - "since the election was stolen in Florida"???? Google it, and educate yourself. The NYT, the WaPo, and ALL other independent newspapers, liberal or not, could FIND NO EVIDENCE of ANYthing being stolen. No matter how long you spew that tired old line of "he STOLE the election" it won't be as bad as having to listen to the Goreacle spew hot air about the planet's "fever". Get a life.

To James:

Well if there is suppression of free speech at left-wing events then what are they??? Can't present anything can you?? Why is it that right wing nuts always come up with the "well they do it do!!!!" argument??? These nut jobs have the mental capacity of 4 year olds. James must be part of the 30% that still inexplicably support Bush.

Bush. The single most reviled president in American history. What a crybaby. What an American failure.

This was a slient protest and should have been allowed as it caused no disruption.
These events are not for you to spout you opposition, they are to promote something and if you interfere with that you should be removed.
The college tactic of shouting down those you disagree with is an old time tested lefty trick but now when the right uses it somehow it becomes evil incarnate.
Did anyone sue those Columbia U students ?
That is the protest method of the left and it shows the weakness of the position in most cases.
The "stolen election" and "Bush lied" show you to be a knee-jerk reactionary without the will or skill to think for yourself.

Gee
oh but it's ok Brain for Lou Dobbs to ssay what a bad bad Bush administration there is someone needs to arrest Lou Dobbs from CNN and most anti-American and complains when I see him that the homeland security ahs failed and the adminstration at the whitehouse, fire Lou Dobbs he is anti American as I have seen him speak on tv and the biggest weasel on the CNN.

Lou Dobbs sound like a real democratic if oyu as me, fire him now CNN he is Anti-American