Morally Wrong
..the citizen who thinks he sees that the commonwealth’s political clothes are worn out, and yet holds his peace and does not agitate for a new suit, is disloyal; he is a traitor.
- A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court
My 18 year old daughter called me from college the other day, saying that there had been anti-war protesters on campus. They were spouting the proverbial, impeach Bush, and other anti-war slogans. But, then she heard things that really bothered her.
Some were yelling kill Bush, and calling for the President’s assassination. Others walking by, hearing this, were clapping. My daughter, having principles, was shocked.
She felt the protesters were over the line, and she felt badly that she hadn’t done something to stop this possibly unlawful behavior.
We discussed how it is commendable to question our President and Congress, but to call for acts of murder are deplorable. What should she have done? Call the police, or inform the school administration? I was not sure.
Is this common practice for anti-war protesters? If so, this unacceptable talk should not be encouraged, or tolerated by protest organizers. It is morally wrong. They should vote their minds, not lose them.
Yes more people need to vote. If you listen to the news coverage of this primary you’ll notice them citing usual less then 40% voter turn out during midterm primaries but this should be significantly higher higher. I forgot what was the turn out for the 2004 presidential election but that too was something laughable. As for the kill president bush chanting folks I hope they are just exercising their first amendment because if action is taken then it would be quite the black eye for the land of the free and the land of democracy.
> Is this common practice for anti-war protesters?
From what I’ve seen: no.
Good God, I certainly hope those college kids were not serious in chanting death to President Bush. That is simply outrageous and should not and can not be tolerated! Someone really should report these kids. Do you know what would happen if they acted on thier threats???
Dick Cheney would immediately be sworn in as our President! *shudder*
Holy fuck. Long live Bush. At least for 2 more years!
Kids are dumb. College age kids? Still dumb.
Speech that calls for acts of violence is not protected, however, alerting the administration or the police would likely have been overkill unless Bush was addressing the gathered masses and was in any real danger.
A noble form of protest? No. Dumb shit kids talking because they like to talk? Probably. Better yet, most, though they might have voted, do little else to change anything anyway. I really wouldn’t let it get you down.
Thanks, CD. I was thinking about your thoughts on this.
Even speech calling for acts of violence is protected under the first amendment, so long as it is in the abstract, and you’re not actually standing in front of a seething mob and directly inciting a riot.
Hate Speech on Campus
Yates v. US, which in 1957 overturned Smith Act convictions of several Communist party members, drawing a fuzzy line between mere speech about violent overthrow of government and actual encouragement of it.
President Bush himself, advocating violent overthrow of government.
Personally I would find it much more satisfying to see him subjected to public waterboarding and a lifetime spent in ignominy.
Can I just say I’m in shock that SJCC had a student protest! When I was at SJSU at least – 6 mos in ’92, downtown was dead, dead, dead to any kind of political activism.
My gosh, what’s happening to the youth today? Didn’t their parents teach them anything such as murder is wrong? I hate bush (doesn’t deserve to be capitalize) as much as the next person who wants him impeached, but I’d never call or encourage killing the SOB! I believe in karma and I saw it in the polls last night. I think we all need to take responsibilities for our actions and what we say!