Why would a politician go to a swing state to

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Larry Tesler <tesler () pobox com>
Date: October 23, 2004 5:17:12 PM EDT
To: David Farber <dave () farber net>

Why would a politician go to a swing state to persuade undecided 
voters--and then speak only to voters who already support him?

=====

Published on Thursday, October 21, 2004 by CommonDreams.org

 To Be Silenced, Or Not to Be: That is the Question

by Debi Smith


 "Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of 
all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily 
defeat us."
--Justice William O.Douglas

  Last week, both vice presidential nominee John Edwards and President 
George W. Bush visited Southern Oregon. Considering the area is 
relatively rural, sparsely populated, and Oregon is a state that 
usually gets little attention in a presidential election, it was an 
unprecedented and rather exciting occasion. I decided to try and get 
tickets to both events for my kids and myself.

  Getting tickets from the Jackson County Democratic Party Headquarters 
for the Edwards event was pleasant and easy. They didn't ask me to 
declare a party, didn't ask who I was voting for, didn't ask me to 
provide personal information or a DNA sample.

  Not so at the Jackson County GOP headquarters. First they wanted to 
know my name, address, phone number, email, and my driver's license 
number. "Do they really have the time, funds, and need to run all this 
data through some security check? What are they afraid of?" I asked 
myself. But hey, if it'll get me some tickets, I'll grudgingly fill out 
the application.

  It didn't get me the tickets. "Are you a Bush supporter?" I was 
asked. I explained that I was a registered Independent and not 
necessarily a Bush supporter. "Are you going to vote for Bush?" I was 
asked. "No," I honestly, and out of curiosity to see what would happen, 
replied. I was summarily told that if I wasn't planning on voting for 
Bush, I wasn't welcome. ...

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1021-22.htm

=====

The remainder of the piece is about a disturbing pattern of unreported 
police excesses at rallies.

Larry Tesler

-------------------------------------
You are subscribed as interesting-people () lists elistx com
To manage your subscription, go to
 http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip

Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/