bush*/ashcroft/republicans supressing dissent.

[bvar22]

"You are with us or you are with the Terrorists!" ---gw bush*

This administration is using the Patriot Act, The Homeland Security Act, and the stacked judicial system to actively supress peaceful, lawful dissent.

In November of last year, $8.2 Million was quietly sliced off of the Congressional appropriation of $87 Billion approved for the War In Iraq. This $8.2 Million, dedicated to fighting terrorism, was then used in Florida to suppress the lawful, and largely peaceful protest against the FTAA in Miami.
More about this Police Action here:
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1126-12.htm


In Des Moinnes, Iowa, Ashcroft's Joint Terrorism Task Force has ordered three peace activists to appear before a federal grand jury on Tuesday Feb 10th.

<snip>
Activists Brian Terrell, Patti McKee and Elton Davis say they have been ordered to testify in federal court Tuesday about something documents describe only as a "possible violation of federal law."

Authorities also have subpoenaed membership and meeting records involving the Drake University chapter of the National Lawyers' Guild, a 65-year-old legal organization that frequently has been involved in social activism and the defense of public protesters.

<snip>

Local peace activists say they worry that the subpoenas are part of an effort to discourage protests against America's actions in Iraq.

Sally Frank, a Drake University law professor who several times has defended war protesters in court, said that "one can only assume that (the grand jury) is an attempt to put a chill on the peace movement in Iowa."
<snip>
more:
http://buffalo.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=5291
and
http://progressivetrail.org/articles/040208Cassel.shtml
and
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/nation/7902617.htm


I consider these actions to be deadly serious, eclipsing all of the other outrages perpetrated by this mis-administration.

There is a protest scheduled at the Courthouse in Des Moines for 12:15 p.m. Tuesday Feb. 10. I plan on driving in from St Paul, MN.
Check the Activism Forum if you are interested in attending.

[indepat]

1. In the land of the free and home of the brave, in the land of liberty,

freedom and equal justice under the law, surely justice will prevail in this case or the death knell of liberty will mostly surely have been sounded, signaling the death of the Republic we have all known. The lack of concern, the total silence by Republicans of any stripe, is deafening, but so telling.

[bvar22]

2. I fear they are attempting to establish legal...

...precident forbidding dissent, public criticism, assembly of citizens who disagree with the bush*/republicans, or communication between citizens who disagree with the administration. This is the REAL reason behind the hideous Patriot Act and the Perpetual WAR on TERROR.

We have all heard the NeoCon logic behind this outrage:
"If you criticize the president* during Time of War, you are helping the enemy!"

BTW, this WAR is going to last forever!


I may be a little paranoid here, but these monsters scare me!

[terryg11]

3. ONLY 2 REPLIES?

wow, since this is the first time in possibly decades (according to the papers) that something like this has happened I would have thought it a little more popular

http://desmoinesregister.com/news/stories/c4788993/23463005.html


http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/4364182.html

the above are two more links to the story being mentionned here. This is one subject where most everyone here agrees on and an example of how the patriot act is horrible legislation. If they actually get away with this in des moines, then we really are part to blame for letting it get this far.

[bvar22]

4. I really thought this would generate SOME interest.

Oh well.
Say!!!! Did you check out Janet Jackson's boob?????

I will be in Des Moines tomorrow!!