Text 736, 57 rader
Skriven 2004-08-05 16:51:00 av FRANK SCHEIDT (1:123/140)
     Kommentar till en text av RICHARD JOHNSON
Ärende: Democracy
=================
-=> Quoting Richard Johnson to All <=-

 RJ> Springfield (MO) News-Leader
 RJ> Published August 3, 2004

 RJ> Bush rally was sad day for democracy

 RJ> Joan Collins

 RJ> The phrase "this is what democracy looks like" changed meaning as the
 RJ> protest of President Bush's appearance in Springfield unfolded.
 RJ> Initially, the phrase described the thousands of people lined up with
 RJ> tickets, waiting to enter the field house, being reminded not all
 RJ> people in southwest Missouri thought this president deserved four more
 RJ> years of leadership that had launched wars resulting in thousands dead
 RJ> and tens of thousands wounded, a national debt increasing at $1.69
 RJ> billion a day, and an atmosphere of secrecy in America. 
 RJ> The Secret Service told protesters where to gather; the location was
 RJ> excellent. Democracy was working: People were exercising their right to
 RJ> assemble while others exercised their right to protest.

 RJ> But when police told protesters they had to move about 200 feet away,
 RJ> while the people supporting Bush remained in place, the atmosphere grew
 RJ> tense. When protesters complained to local police, they replied, "We're
 RJ> just following orders." Then the protesters called the media: It was
 RJ> time for citizens to know how democracy was working in Springfield, as
 RJ> protesters had been herded into a "free speech zone."

 RJ> When gatekeepers announced final seating for those with tickets,
 RJ> protesters with tickets tried to get in, but their tickets were grabbed
 RJ> and torn up, and police threatened them with arrest if they argued
 RJ> back. One woman screamed, "You're tearing up my ticket," and hit back
 RJ> at the man when he started shoving her with his chest, trying to shut
 RJ> her up. The police arrested the woman. Two other people were "taken
 RJ> down": a young girl who could not back up fast enough because there
 RJ> were so many people behind her and a man who is charged with
 RJ> trespassing because he was standing on property his own tax dollars
 RJ> partially funded.

 RJ> All this, while the Bush supporters passed by, granted access to the
 RJ> president of us all because they would shout his praises at the
 RJ> appropriate moments. 
 RJ> When "this is what democracy looks like" arose from the protesters
 RJ> this time, it had an ominous tone. People were being taken down, and
 RJ> the picture was not pretty.

I cannot believe this happened as described.  The writer is 
doubtless leaving out some critical details which do not support 
her smear ... the ticket-tearing-up, for example smells ... 
furthermore Bush protesters are typically very obnoxious people ... 
how come this isn't mentioned??

... "It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is ... dead, Jim" ÄÄ Bones

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