Mass. governor apparently delights in censoring his constitutents [fs]

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: For Politech? Romney event policy: no "literature" allowed.
Date: Thu, 20 May 2004 14:48:15 -0700
From: Thomas Leavitt <thomas () thomasleavitt org>
To: Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>

... where does the slippery slope of "legitimate" security limitations end?
How much control over public appearances do our elected and appointed
officials deserve? Is it appropriate for public officials to "script" their
appearances such that visible signs (literally and figurative) of dissent
are suppressed?

At the very least, the literature restriction described below strikes me as
absurd and not serving of any public purpose.

Regards,
Thomas Leavitt


> <http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/columnists/view.bg?articleid=68663>http:
//www.metrowestdailynews.com/columnists/view.bg?articleid=68663
> Bradley: Romney's education policy; Literature not allowed
> By Joe Bradley / Local Columnist
> Wednesday, May 19, 2004
>
> Monday night I arrived at the Fuller Middle School in Framingham looking
> forward to an evening of informative discussion with Gov. Romney about
> education policy. I was delighted to see the parking lot almost full for
> the governor's Town Meeting on Education. I felt proud to be a resident of
> a community that cared about education and took the time to show up to
> discuss policy with the governor.
>       I ran the gauntlet of unions, candidates, sign holders and the like
> gathered outside the public entrance, collecting all of their handouts as I
> walked into the school. I planned on reading them when I got home.
>       Hurrying to get into the auditorium I didn't notice the security
> signs posted on the outside doors. Walking down the long corridor I saw a
> line of people ahead waiting to pass through security. A metal detector
> brought home the fact that we live in a dangerous society and all of our
> public officials may be targets.
>       Three well-dressed young men were pointing to the security signs and
> asking everyone to turn in their literature. I noticed that after walking
> through the detector no one got their literature back. It was then I read
> the sign:
>       SECURITY NOTICE
>       The following items will not be admitted:
>       COATS BAGS WEAPONS
>       SIGNAGE LITERATURE
>       All attendees are subject to a security screening.
>       Government issue photo ID may be required.
>       A young man asked me to turn in my literature. I refused, believing
I
> had a right to keep the literature. The young man pointed to the sign and
> stated that literature wasn't allowed due to security reasons.
>       Believe me, I am sympathetic to all in public life and the security
> threats they and their families live with. I understand why coats, bags,
> weapons, and even signs are prohibited from these events. Safety is our
> first concern.
>       I can even understand not allowing someone to come in with stacks of
> literature and hand them out because it could be disruptive or a bomb could
> be inserted in a pile of leaflets. But six or eight sheets of 8 by 11
> paper? What are they afraid of: exploding paper? Particularly when the
> literature in question challenged the governor on his education policy.
>       When I protested that no one would get a chance to read the opposite
> side of the issues, the young man stated that it was the offical policy of
> the governor's office for security reasons. I asked if I could get the
> policy in writing. He said no. Probably it can't be handed out in writing
> because that would be literature and you can't have literature at these
> events.       A little hot under the collar and starting to make a public
> nuisance  of myself about my right to possess issue-oriented literature I
> was  beginning to raise my voice.A Framingham police officer on duty was
> called  over. Having been acquainted with this officer since moving to
> Framingham  15 years ago and considering him a friend as well as a great
> public  servant, I didn't want to ruin his evening like I had ruined the
> evening of  the governor's Advance and Specials Events Coordinator. That's
> the title  the young man from the governor's staff had on his business card
> which he  kindly gave me. I agreed to leave the premises rather than turn
> in my  literature.
>       As I was exiting the building I let slip that I might write a column
> about this policy.I let the people outside know that all their literature
> was being confiscated inside,
>       Suddenly the governor's deputy press secretary, Nicole St. Peter,
> appeared in the parking lot inviting me inside, with the literature. Now
> that they thought I was some hot-shot columnist I was going to be allowed
> to bring in the literature. I asked her to explain the policy and how
> confiscating all opposition literature enhanced the governor's safety. She
> had no explanation other than it was official policy at all these events. I
> asked for it in writing and was told the policy was not available in print.
>       So as I understand it, the average citizen who doesn't want to make
a
> scene like I did has to turn in all the literature passed outside by
> interest groups if they want to hear the governor's positions on education.
> But if you have a big mouth like me and may have the opportunity to write
> about this insane no literature policy and have it published in a newspaper
> column, all of a sudden you're not a security threat and can bring in
> literature.
>       I was treated with respect and courteously be everyone on the
> governor's staff. After all, they are just doing their jobs and are public
> servants. Nicole St. Peter begged me to calm down and come inside, but I
> refused. I possessed literature and was a security threat. At least that's
> the governor's take on it and that's what the sign says.
>       As I drove home I couldn't help but think that the governor doesn't
> believe the people can be trusted with literature from opposition groups at
> his town meetings, but it's really the people who perhaps shouldn't be
> trusting the governor on his education policies. I realized I finally
> understood Gov. Romney's education policy: literature not allowed.
>
>
> ( Joe Bradley lives in Framingham. )



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