Pro-Choice Citizens Booted from Bush Rally
Tuesday August 10, 2004
If you have any thoughts about attending a rally for President George W. Bush to hear him speak, be advised that you won't be allowed to stay if there is any chance that you might express any views contrary to his. In Bush's America, there is no dissent or disagreement permitted within his sight.
The Saginaw News reports on a family ejected because a woman wore a pro-choice shirt:
Jennifer Millerwise, a Bush spokeswoman, defended the campaign's right to kick out attendees suspected of aiming to spoil an event meant for supporters. ... "These events are put on ... for people of an open mind who are interested in hearing (Bush's) positive message and his vision for a future," she said.
Barbara Miller said a young male campaign worker confiscated the offending apparel upon the family's 4:30 p.m. arrival. He returned with two others and asked the trio leave about an hour later. "They obviously were searching for us," said Marvin, 53, also a Dow chemist. "And they came for us. The young man accused them of "smuggling in T-shirts," he said. The guard then grabbed their three tickets from Barbara Miller's hand, ripped them up "violently" and told her, "They're no good anymore," she said. "This is democracy under Bush," she added flatly.
So, anyone with any sort of shirt carrying a message that Bush doesn’t agree with (though many Republicans may agree with) can’t have an “open mind”? That’s a good example of the “you’re with us or you’re against us” attitude at work. Anyone with such a message must be there to disrupt? That’s a good example of the attitude which disregards the presumption of innocence.
Bush, or at least his “handlers,” don’t want anyone in sight or earshot who believe things that Bush doesn’t believe. That’s democracy? That’s America? It is with Bush in charge.
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