Pubdate: Sun, 18 Jan 2004
Source: Knoxville News-Sentinel (TN)
Copyright: 2004 The Knoxville News-Sentinel Co.
Contact:  http://www.knoxnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/226
Author: Jeri Sweeney
Note: 2 Of 3 PUB LTE on this issue in this issue

FREE SPEECH ISN'T CONFINED TO ZONES

I am writing in response to the story concerning the "free speech zone" 
that was posted on Jan. 8.

It is so disturbing to see how our civil liberties are being eroded by this 
administration while President Bush proclaims that he is a champion of 
freedom. Since when is free speech confined to zones?

These unconstitutional attempts to suppress protesters become even more 
disturbing in light of the Homeland Security Department's recommendation 
that local police departments view critics of the war on terrorism as 
potential terrorists and environmentalists as a threat to national security.

Thank goodness, though, there are still some who still believe in free 
speech. Pennsylvania District Judge Shirley Rowe Trkula threw out the 
disorderly conduct charge against the steelworker written about in the 
story declaring: "I believe this is America."

Whatever happened to "I don't agree with you, but I'll defend to the death 
your right to say it?"

JERI SWEENEY

Sevierville
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman