Preposterous Universe

 
Perspectives

Two different views of the same event. The event being a Bush rally in Oregon, featuring a celebration of moral values and the expulsion of three local teachers with tickets to the event who were wearing T-shirts carrying the motto "Protect Our Civil Liberties."

One article about the event seems to be derived almost exclusively from a Democratic Party press release.

Responding to the number of examples of American voters being turned away, or removed from George W. Bush’s visits to their cities and states, Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe hosted a national conference call with Oregon teachers who were kicked out of an Oct. 14 Medford Bush rally for wearing T-shirts saying, "Protect Our Civil Liberties."

McAuliffe released the following statement Sunday:

“"The President has stripped his events of anyone who might disagree with him, which is completely un-American. It is dangerous for a President to be the bubble boy of American politics. But it might explain why the President can’t admit the problems of people without jobs, without health care, without prescription drugs, or trying to put their kids through college. He doesn’t know about them because he refuses to even see them."

But those of us who think that people should be able to wear whatever T-shirts they like (although "protect our civil liberties" is pushing the irony envelope a little far, I must admit) have heard so many of these stories that it's too exhausting to gather our outrage once more. And the President's supporters are able to overlook little events like this. He is, after all, resolute in the face of threats, both real and imagined. And Kerry is a flip-flopper! If stifling a little dissent is the price we have to pay for security, so be it.

The interesting thing is the local paper's pro-Bush take on the same event, sporting the title "Crowd lauds Bush for conviction, 'his word'." The story about the teachers is relegated to a passing mention in the second half of the article. It's the pro-Bush story that is scarier to those of us who are on the anti-theocracy side of our great national debate.

Applegate Christian Fellowship pastor Rev. Peter John Courson gave an invocation, urging onlookers to pray for the president and to bless the troops.

"In Jesus'’ name, thank you for being here," he said.

During the Pledge of Allegiance, the crowd emphasized the words "under God."

Applegate resident Tustin Ellison, who said he'’s as conservative as "Attila the Hun," said he doesn'’t agree with everything the president has done, but supports the invasion of Iraq.

[...]

Medford resident Rochelle Lovlin said she supported the president because he conveys a sense of morality.

"He knows how to quote scripture better than Kerry," she said.

Who was it again who was famously able to quote scripture for his own purpose?

~ posted by Sean Carroll at 9:17 AM ~ link ~ ~ ~