- This past Sunday, a graduate student in electrical engineering
learned that Fascists are not always goosestepping in uniforms behind tanks,
sometimes they can appear to be innocent little old ladies or soccer moms.
Our student, whom we will refer to as as just Brian, approached an Obama campaign
table on Church Street here in Burlington and began to ask questions about
Brzezinski's role as advisor to Obama. He also asked if the Obama
supporters knew about how Brzezinski was the architect for the
Mujahideen, a.k.a. Al Qaeda.
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- The Obama table wanted no discussion what so ever. In
order to set up a table on Church Street, a group must apply for a permit
from the market place board. The function of tabling is to educated the
public on issues and allow dialogue. Apparently an open exchange of ideas
did not apply to Obama supporters. After Brian questioned the table and
realized the conversation was closed, he walked away.
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- Refusing to speak was not enough for the Obama people,
they called the police! Two police officers chased Brian down, ordered
him onto the ground. Brian called out for help, thinking he had committed
no crime. The police told him to shut up or he would be tasered. Brian
was handcuffed and taken to jail where he was held for 35 hours. He had
to appear before a judge in shackles and will face a trial by jury in one
month for: resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
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- The ordeal in jail left Brian visibly shaken and upset.
If the arrest wasn't enough. The Obama campaigners filed a RESTRAINING
ORDER which bans him from Church Street for ONE MONTH! Burlington is a
small town, and Church St. is our main thoroughfare. This is a de facto
ban from the town.
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- I spent a half hour with Brian retracing the steps of
that fateful day. He told me how he didn't realize what freedom was until
it was taken away. For the moment, he is not personally speaking out about
this injustice. He fears what other tactics the Obama supporters may hold.
I immediately realized a gross injustice had been committed and seized
a chance to tell Brian's story by gaining his trust.
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- I hope a suit will be filed for a violation of Brian's
civil rights, First Amendment rights and the tabling permit for the Obama
campaigners will go under review. Is this Obama's America? Is this
this the "Change" we can expect? Arbitrary arrests for
questioning power? Be careful of what you wish for, As Truman Capote said,
"more tears are shed over answered prayers than unaswered ones."
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- Greg Nixon
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