Bush haters - Are you really so blinded by your hate that you do not see the trap that you are falling into?

Question

This is a country of free speech. But, free speech has gotten lots of people in deep trouble when they cross the line from honest political debate to advocating violence and retribution as part of their political "solution".

Answer 1

The level of mindless hatred toward this president is almost unprecedented in my lifetime.
Perhaps LBJ and Nixon came close, but even then the vitriol was aimed at policy disagreements - this blind hatred seems to be on a much more personal level.
As a true Independent, it is troubling to me that Bush-haters - for the most part - are either incoherent as to the rationale of their hatred, or simply ignorant of the facts, and shout silly bumper sticker slogans like 'Haloburton !' or 'Blood for oil!' in place of a concise, reasoned argument.
There is no doubt that this blind rage is fueled daily by an agenda-driven media who unabashedly revile this president and are willing to print anything that casts him in a bad light regardless of the detrimental consequences to our nation.
Unfortunately, some of the uninformed and shallow comments seen on this board prove that many here access 'information' solely from these biased sources.
It is noteworthy that all the folks who condemn Mr Bush have absolutely nothing to add to the debate in terms of solutions to weighty problems...their position seems to simply be 'whatever Bush is for - we're against '(even if we were 'for' it up until the time he said it)!

Answer 2

um .. free speech? yeah right. you can say whatever you like at a Republican rally as long as you're miles away and in a cage.


December 15, 2003 issue
Copyright © 2003 The American Conservative

“Free-Speech Zone”

The administration quarantines dissent.
By James Bovard

On Dec. 6, 2001, Attorney General John Ashcroft informed the Senate Judiciary Committee, “To those who scare peace-loving people with phantoms of lost liberty … your tactics only aid terrorists, for they erode our national unity and … give ammunition to America’s enemies.” Some commentators feared that Ashcroft’s statement, which was vetted beforehand by top lawyers at the Justice Department, signaled that this White House would take a far more hostile view towards opponents than did recent presidents. And indeed, some Bush administration policies indicate that Ashcroft’s comment was not a mere throwaway line.

When Bush travels around the United States, the Secret Service visits the location ahead of time and orders local police to set up “free speech zones” or “protest zones” where people opposed to Bush policies (and sometimes sign-carrying supporters) are quarantined. These zones routinely succeed in keeping protesters out of presidential sight and outside the view of media covering the event.

Answer 3

I don't hate Bush, I just think he is the most incompetent and arrogant President his country has ever endured. Who's advocating violence against Bush? I haven't noticed anyone but a few extremist nuts suggesting violence against him, and we always have those people in this country, no matter who the President is. There are some people asking for retribution in the form of an impeachment. They hunger for proof, but none is to be had so far. How they are going to get in deep trouble for wishing we had the proof for impeachment? This trap you speak of is certainly not clear.

Answer 4

I lost respect for him with the deceit used to get our troops in harm's way. There was no WMD or he wouldn't have invaded. He Cheney & Rummy put an insufficient amount of troops in Iraq lacking of supplies. I saw a soldier ask Rummy at a meet about needed body armour and Rummy blew him off. I heard Bush's speech to the Veterans saying 'we must fight them there so we don't have to here'. Well doesn't he know what the FBI knows--that there are 1200 terroristr groups in US w/weapons in 150 cities. Who is he kidding does he think everyone is stupid? Did he pardon or anyone beside D Hunter and a growing following, those 2 Border Patrol Agents who were LIED about-NO. Why is he firing various Justices so he can line up his crew for something? Now his secret goings on are becoming apparent. Conspiring w/Mexico for the last 5 yrs to let BOA offer services to ILLEGALS, letting corps hire prison mates to do cheap labor hurting our middle class and now taking over the Internet. How much more damage or rights taken will he be responsible for? The gov is working for US not US for them.

Answer 5

I believe most of it is just talk. An example of the frustration many feel today. Even though I don't share this frustration I do understand what motivates it. If the President or Vice president were to really be assassinated it would offend most, even many of those who talk about it as though they would like to see it. In a prefect world we would confine ourselves to relevant topics which stick to the issues. Unfortunately our world is far from perfect. I just write the majority of it off to useless rhetoric from people who cannot discuss real issues backed with facts. The sad part is that many do not realize that even talking about such a thing makes you a legitimate target for investigation as a subversive. Openly advocating anyone's death stretches the boundaries of free speech to the limit.

Answer 6

As someone who you would claim "hates" Bush (even though I don't), I wil respond to this.

Anyone is allowed to say anything they like in this country. They do have to know that there may be consequences - social or legal - for what they say.

Contrary to popular belief, it is NOT, in fact, illegal to yell "fire" in a crowded theater. But if you cause public panic by doing so, then the theater's management has the right to act upon its lost ticket sales and any damage that results from the panic caused.

Contrary to popular belief, if is NOT, in fact, illegal to say something like, "I'd really like to smack the President upside the head," or even joke about wishing someone would kill him. But if the FBI finds this to be a credible threat to the general safety and well-being of the President, you can expect to be questioned further with regard to what you said. And if, after that questioning, they think you are harmless, they will release you. You still said it, but you're not in jail for it.

Everyone needs to calm down. There is a distinct difference between saying, "Oh, I could just KILL that guy," and actually saying, "I am going to kill that guy."

When people say stuff like that on here, they're not threatening the President, or anyone else. And it isn't your job to police the world.

So just chill.

Answer 7

yea lois c, you seem to only have understood half the book. $20 says you want socialism, and guess what? That book also preaches against socialism... oh wow, because when you don't have control over the economy, and the government does, how long does free speech last? The govt. can not succeed without a good economy, and if the people have control of it, they have leverage against the government. You neo-libs don't even understand what you read

Answer 8

Not violence or retribution, but justice.
Its like when we invaded Iraq the Adminstration has a deck of 50 cards of most wanted criminals.
Libby is like the chemical Ali the stooge that does the dirty work which we caught him yesterday, next is Rove, lastly impeachment of bush & cheney .

Answer 9

First of all I don't hate Bush, I don't like him and feel he is a poor president who only acts out his own personal agenda's over the basic will of the people. His attitude of you are either against us or for us, is childish...The same question with some alterations could be said of Bush supporters, are you so blinded by your blind faith that you don't see the trap you are falling into, it works both ways!

Answer 10

I have NOT met anyone that "blindly" hates Bush. I have met many people that hate his policies, his bogus war, and what he is doing to this country. They only way freedom of speech will get you in trouble in this country is if your President has become more of a Dictator than a President.