Memo to Cheney: bone up on First and Fourth Amendments

[jurph]

via Andrew Sullivan:

A Colorado man approached the VP Cheney, said something to the effect of "I find your policies in Iraq reprehensible," and for daring to exercise his free speech in a non-approved manner, was arrested. Charges were later dropped, but for speaking his mind in public, he was forced to go to court. The Colorado man, it turns

Comments

[roninspoon]

This isn't the first time. When Cheney was on site touring the Katrina aftermath, a man approached off camera during a press conference and said "Go fuck yourself Mr. Cheney!". You can hear a brief scuffle afterwards and as I recall, the fellow was arrested. They justify these actions by claiming that insults are threatening, and since it's illegal to threaten the VP, it's therefore illegal to insult him. This is, of course, bunk.

[jurph]

I believe the Denver claim was also "assault," but the man who spoke up in Denver had his seven-year-old son with him and did not use any harsh language. He simply stated that he disagreed with Cheney's policy. This is the most polite and restrained example of dissent I can think of -- precisely the manner of dissent the founders intended when they wrote the First Amendment.

Also: mad props to the man for being such an amazing role model for his son. Eleven years from now we'll have another libertarian on the voter rolls.

[roninspoon]

Those who rule by fear and ignorance find dissent in any form threatening.

[geistesblitz]

I have been thinking about a similar issue recently.

After senators swear the following oath of office:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.

Can they then vote for a bill that they honestly believe is unconstitutional?