George W. Bush acts as if he hates America

The gang in the White House have no respect for the foundations of this country, and are in the process of dismantling everything that makes America what it is. The ACLU, in their report Freedom Under Fire: Dissent in Post-9/11 America (pdf version, text-only version), documents ways in which government agents are being used to violate First Amendment rights. If there is no respect for the First Amendment, there is no respect for the very nature of our country.

A recent act of anti-Americanism is the arrest and prosecution of a protester at a Bush PR event (letter from members of Congress). Freedom of speech in political context is one of this country's most cherished precepts, yet the Bush Administration seems to have absolutely no qualms quashing any dissent.

As Teddy Roosevelt said in 1918:

To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else.

(Thanks to Daily Kos for this.)

kherr @ 23:44 CDT | link | politics