Pubdate: Thu, 14 Nov 2002 Source: Log Cabin Democrat (AR) Copyright: 2002 The Log Cabin Democrat Contact: http://thecabin.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/548 Author: Jeremy Gosnell, Conway: PROPOSED RAVE ACT GOES TOO FAR Before both houses of Congress rests the rave act. Although, the proposed bill's intentions are honorable, banning an individual's right to assemble at a rave or events, as specified in Senate Bill 2633, is clearly a violation of the First Amendment. Many citizens may think this issue is of no concern to them. However, the key word in the rave act is the one which will allow our government the ability to choose which venues, be it for a concert at Alltel Arena, night club such as Discovery or eatery such as Juanita's, are acceptable for the public. From observation as a resident of Conway for 24 years, I have learned that this city has a voice which cannot be silenced. Allowing its victories to be the ones which caused Wal-Mart to change where it wanted to build, as did this town religious community persuade the Alcohol Board to turn down Outback's application for a liquor permit. I beg of you, contact Vic Snyder, Tim Hutchinson, and Blanche Lambert Lincoln and become united in an attempt to let our law makers know that this proposed bill needs to be reworded before it is ever passed, and not to forget the citizens of Conway will not let government run over our freedoms. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart