Have you ever worn a button expressing a political viewpoint? You probably shouldn't if you ever go down to Crawford, Texas, where President George W. Bush's ranch is located. There, five people were arrested and fined for violating a "parade and procession" ordinance. They weren't there to protest in Crawford itself, just to get close to see the ranch - but they we wearing anti-Bush buttons, and that was apparently enough.

The Progressive reports:

Their lawyer, Jim Harrington, director of the Texas Civil Rights Project, cross-examined Police Chief Tidmore and extracted an alarming--and telling--concession from him. Harrington asked him "whether one of the defendants would have violated the ordinance by sporting political buttons, such as those that read 'No Nukes' and 'Peace,' without the permit," according to the Waco Tribune-Herald.

"It could be a sign of demonstration," Chief Tidmore responded, according to the paper. Still, it took a Crawford jury only ninety minutes to convict all five defendants, who were fined between $200 and $500 each.

So, the next time you find yourself outside in public in Texas, you might want to think twice about displaying any political messages - especially messages that don't agree with the policies of the current Bush administration. You could get thrown in jail and fined if you do.

Read More:

• Recent Books on Free Speech
• Court Decisions on Free Speech and Censorship