Children Protest Republican Booth. Republicans vow revenge.

[philosophie_en_rose]

It's simply amazing to me that the article framed the discussion with the opinions of pseudo-patriotic Republicans - who apparently love America so much that they use mafia tactics to blacklist and bully free speakers. Please click the link and then "feedback" to send a message, if you agree.

http://www.southwhidbeyrecord.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=85&cat=23&id=98601&more=

Having lived on Whidbey Island for my entire childhood, I have never felt compelled to attend the County Fair. However, I cannot wait until tomorrow morning to witness the absolutely wonderful democratic booth. Not only did these amazing people brave the chickenhawks, they inspired children to protest the Republican ice cream booth. Beautiful. :)

My only regret is that I am too late to get a "Bush sucks" pin.

*********************************

On Thursday, the Island County Democrats caught heat from several Island County Fair Board members and from members of the public for distributing buttons, bumper stickers and signs some called unpatriotic. The dispute became so serious that the message and purpose of the booth was discussed at the fair board's Friday morning meeting, though no action was taken.
...
Further aggravating the situation, apparently, was an impromptu protest started by children who picked up signs and buttons at the the Democrat booth. They sat in front of the Island County Republicans' ice cream booth for over an hour displaying their literature.
...
This is exactly what Grethe Cammermeyer, chairperson of the Island County Democrats, feared. Though in speaking with Gabelein Thursday Cammermeyer learned of no specific rule barring her group from distributing its materials, she said the board could nonetheless kick the Democrats out of their booth area on the fair midway for next year's fair. That would be particularly damaging to the local party, she said, since 2004 is a presidential election year.
...
Since the fair board did not choose to take any action against the Democrats, the booth will likely continue to distribute its materials through Sunday. However, material Brant said fair board members told him were "inappropriate" may not be an issue beyond Friday. By late Thursday, the Democrat had already give away all of its "Bush Sucks" lapel buttons and were well on their way toward handing out all of their signs.

"Business has been pretty good," Brant said with no attempt to hide his satisfaction.

[BiggJawn]

1. I wish MY Democrats were like this...

The Indiana Democrats didn't even BOTHER to have a booth at the Indiana State Fair. The ReTHUGlicans were there, "Right to Life" was thee, Some cover-group for "Operation Rescue" was there, but NO Democrats....

I KNOW we have Democrats in Indiana, *I'M* one! Evan Bayh is ......oh.....Yeah.....Well, FURK!

Also, People in this country need to get it through their TV-thickened skulls that Bush is *NOT* America, and America is NOT Bush. I can be as patriotic as Nathan Hale and still say "Bush Lied". In fact, it would be downright NON-PATRIOTIC *NOT* to insist that he LIED!

To insist or claim that criticism, if not out and out derision of the President is "un-patriotic" is to assign some kind of "Divine Right" to Chimpy. And that's just plain WRONG. Bush is NOT a KING, Dammit!

[punpirate]

2. That's great....

It should also be mentioned, I think, that Whidbey Island is also the site of a naval air station, and the area is needlessly conservative on that account alone.

And, think of those dastardly Republicans, trying to subvert young minds with _ice cream_! Nothing short of political bribery of those of young age.... Good thing there's a streak of independence in Whidbey Island youth. *smile*

And, about that "inappropriate" material... what's wrong with "Bush Sucks," I ask? It's the truth, is it not?

Cheers.

[philosophie_en_rose]

3. Well, I think it makes them uncomfortable

It's certainly true that Bush sucks, but it hurts their small minds to see anything contrary to the talking points they must believe.

As for Whidbey, it's not true. Northern Whidbey Island and practically every town uppity up leans Republican, but the South Enders are overwhelmingly liberal.

[punpirate]

7. I'll accept your characterization...

... of the island. I was only there for a couple of days in the early `60s.

Cheers.

[ping_PONG]

4. People shouldn't use their children like that.

I'm all for getting in the face of a Republican, don't get me wrong, but I think that there is something despicable about telling someone (particularly a child) else to go protest or picket, when you know that they are going to feel like they have to do it, because you said so.

I realize the heart was in the right place (or at least I believe it to be) but the brain wasn't.

[philosophie_en_rose]

6. They didn't make the children protest.

The children took some signs and buttons and then sat in front of the Republican bribery booth. They did it themselves and that's the beauty of the situation - that even children can't be fooled by the lying liars and that they were brave enough to do anything about it.

I certainly wonder what kids are doing running wild without parental supervision, but that's usual at community events around here.

[dflprincess]

5. The Republicans at the Minnesota State Fair

always pass out balloons to the kiddies. Several years ago I had some of my nieces and nephews with me and my then 5 year old niece began to drift toward the booth looking for her balloon. I pulled her back loudly telling her to get away from those people. Some guy walking past us stopped and said to me "Isn't that just like Republicans, trying to bribe them that young?" (the DFL also has a booth but does offer any bribes except a drinking fountain)

[tweekinnow]

8. Grethe is

one hell of a Woman.I am sure she would verbally hand King George his ASS on a plate,if given the opportunity...
The Fair Board should be very careful about trying to intimidate her,that could backfire big time.Visit her website.

http://www.cammermeyer.com/

[meow2u3]

9. Repukes can dish it out, but can't take it.

Here's the piece of my mind I gave them:

Censorship by pseudo-patriotic Republican fanatics of anti-Bush sentiment, especially against Democrats, has become so widespread that I'm beginning to wonder if we're actually living under a totalitarian regime. Not surprisingly, the Republicans who are guiltiest of silencing Democrats by mafia style tactics are the same ones who relentlessly demonized former president Bill Clinton with impunity.
This goes to show that Bush Republicans are bullies who are very good at dishing out lies about Democrats, but can't take it when Democrats tell the unflattering truth about them.

[laura888]

10. I sent feedback!

thanks for the post!

[RapidCreek]

11. thanks for posting....here's what I wrote to "feedback"

Is South Whidbey Island part of the United States? Just curious after reading "Dems: 'What country do I live in?'". After all, President Bush did lie...and is lying. That much is rather obvious. Mr. Bush is not America, and America is not Mr. Bush. Those on your island who seek to quell free speech seem to be under the impression that America is a Kingdom and Mr. Bush is the king. Both sentiments that are distinctly un-american and unpatriotic.

Being a veteran I find it offensive that the very freedoms I fought to defend, your fair manager has attempted to deny the residents of South Whidbey. Particularly when those citizens are expressing their views about a man who went AWOL from his military duties while I fulfilled my own. I and hundreds of thousands of other soldiers honored the oath of enlistment we took. Mr. Bush made a conscious decision not to honor his. This decision was based not upon hardship or principal but privilege and a learned lack of accountability.

By choosing to disregard his oath of enlistment Mr. Bush broke a promise to his country men, made with hand over heart, under our nations flag and the eyes of God. It is the same oath he now expects our soldiers to honor. He is a lier and a hypocrite, he lied to god and country and he abandoned his brothers in arms during a time of war. That's unpatriotic, selfish, dishonest, cowardly, and anti-american ....and quite frankly, it sucks. Any American patriot knows this to be true and has every right shout it from the roof tops. Why is it your fair manager, Mr. Eaken seeks to deny them this right?

XXXXX

RC

[Generic Other]

12. And The Children Shall Lead The Way

You know, it's Fair Season all over the country, isn't it?

This is an idea that could spread! Woooohooo! I sent copies to all my teenage nieces and nephews.

[Nlighten1]

13. Maybe we need a DU booth at these events?

I would love to see the reaction here to some of it.