Betreff: [prep2003discovery2] Fw: Is this America ???? |
Von: "V" |
Datum: Sat, 6 Nov 2004 21:03:37 -0800 |
An: |
By Trish Bowcock
Oct. 16, 2004
A few weeks before my father died, he woke me
in the wee hours of the morning. He needed to talk. He was
worried about Attorney General John Ashcroft and the destruction of
American civil liberties. I comforted my father, believing he was
delusional from medications. I was wrong.
I write this from my home in
President George W. Bush came here this week.
The purpose of his visit was political.
We are a peaceful community. The prospect
of an overnight presidential visit was exciting, even to me, a lifelong
Democrat. My excitement turned to horror as I watched events unfold
during President Bush's visit.
In the mid-1800s, when Indians invaded
Police armed with high powered rifles perched
upon our rooftops as the presidential motorcade approached. Helicopters
flew low, overhead. A cadre of motorcycle police zoomed into
town. Black SUVs followed, sandwiching several black limousines
carrying the president, his wife and their entourage as they sped to
the local inn where they would eat and sleep. The main
street was lined with people gathered to witness the event. Many
supported the president. Many did not. Some came because
they were simply curious. There were men, women, young and old.
The mood was somewhat festive. Supporters
of John Kerry sported signs, as did supporters of George Bush.
Individuals, exercising their rights of free speech began chanting.
On one side of the street, shouts of "four more years" echoed in
the night air. On the other side of the street, chants of "three
more weeks" responded. The chants were loud and apparently could
be heard by President Bush. An order was issued that the anti-Bush
rhetoric be quieted. The local SWAT team leapt to action.
It happened fast. Clad in full riot gear,
at least 50 officers moved in. Shouting indecipherable commands
from a bullhorn, they formed a chain and bore down upon the people,
only working to clear the side of the street appearing to be
occupied by Kerry supporters. People tried to get out of
their way. It was very crowded. There was nowhere to move. People
were being crushed. They started flowing into the streets.
Pleas to the officers, asking, "where to go"
fell upon deaf ears.
Instead, riot police fired pellets of cayenne
pepper spray into the crowd. An old man fell and couldn't get up.
When a young man stopped to help, he was shot in the back with hard
pepper spray balls. Children were hit with pepper spray.
Deemed "Protesters" people were shoved and herded down the street
by the menacing line of armed riot police, until out of the President's
ear-shot.
There the "Protesters" were held at bay.
Anyone vocalizing anti-Bush or pro-Kerry sentiments was
prohibited from venturing forward. Loud anti-Bush chants were
responded to by the commanding officer stating: "FORWARD," to which the
entire line of armed police would move, lock-step, toward the
"Protesters," forcing backward movement. Police officers
circulated filming the crowd of "Protesters" . Some were people like
me, quiet middle-aged women. Some sported anti-Bush signs, peace
signs, or Kerry signs. A small group of youth, clad in black with
kerchiefs wrapping their heads chanted slogans. A young woman in
her underwear, sporting a peace sign sang a lyrical Kumbaya.
Mixed among the "Protesters" were supporters of
the President. One 19 year- old man shouted obscenities at anyone
expressing dissatisfaction with the president, encouraging the police
to "tazar" the "Stinking Protesters." Neither the "Protestors,"
nor the police harassed this vocal young man.
Across the street, individuals shouting support
for the president were allowed to continue. Officers monitored
this group but allowed them to shout words of support or hurl derisions
toward Kerry supporters, undisturbed. Honking cars filled with Bush
supporters were left alone.
A honking car full of Kerry supporters was
stopped by police on its way out of town.
The standoff with "Protesters" continued until
the President finished his dinner and was secured in his hotel cottage
for the night. Only then were the riot police ordered to
"mount-up," leaping upon the sideboard of a huge SUV, pulling out
of town, and allowing "free speech" to resume.
In small town
It is reputed that President Bush and his staff
will not allow any opposition activity to occur within his ear or eye
sight. I can confirm, that in tiny
Freedom of speech was stolen.
The following links can be cross referenced to verify the information:
http://iconoclast-texas.com/Columns/Guest/guest42a.htm <http://iconoclast-texas.com/Columns/Guest/guest42a.htm>
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2004/10/299964.shtml <http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2004/10/299964.shtml>
http://www.katu.com/news/story.asp?ID=71878 <http://www.katu.com/news/story.asp?ID=71878>
http://rogueimc.org/ <http://rogueimc.org/>
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6253816/ <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6253816/>