Free speech is a cherished right in this country. It is supposedly one of the freedoms that George Bush has us fighting for in Iraq so that we aren't attacked here. Of course the President is full of shit and we all know this (at least 75% of us that is). Decrying the diminished freedoms in our country on a national level is important so that the ship is at least sending out an S.O.S. as we go down, but it is important to highlight the small cracks in the ship. One example can be found in Kensington, MD. where a man selling "Impeach Him" buttons was arrested in a public space.
From KEYE-TV:
(CBS News) KENSINGTON, Md. A 74-year-old retired mathematician who sells anti-Bush buttons at a Maryland farmers' market has become a symbol of free speech to some people. Others say Alan McConnell is a nuisance.
McConnell was at the market in Kensington as usual yesterday, selling buttons that say "Impeach Him" He has sold the $1 buttons for months; he told The Washington Post he uses the money earned to pay for "Impeach Them Both" yard signs.
(snip)
McConnell showed up this weekend, when police arrested him and forcibly carried him to a squad car. A crowd of about 40 McConnell supporters booed the arrest, chanting "Free speech!"
Chanting for what we want is nice, but Mr. McConnell is now facing fines and a possible prison sentence of a few months. With all of the impeachment talk gaining ground around the nation, arresting a man for selling buttons about it is abhorrent, even if he was the only one advocating it.
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