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. Complete text at http://www.amconmag.com/12_15_03/feature.html
Yeah, in most cases they're pretty dumb. However, I have no idea why they are treated as anything new. Ever go to a gay pride parade?* They corral the fundies and KKK away from the main strip because that mix is hypergolic. The monicker "Free Speech Zone" is new, but the concept is not. *not gay
well i'd like to have heard On Dec. 6, 2001, Attorney General John Ashcroft informed the Senate Judiciary Committee, “To those who engage in militaristic imperialism who scare peace-loving people with repeated military engagements promising phantoms of lost liberty … your tactics only aid terrorists, for they erode our national unity and … give ammunition to America’s enemies.”
