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WTF is a "free-speech zone?"

aNiMaLaNiMaL Posts: 7,117
edited October 2006 in A Moving Train
How disturbing is the phrase: "free-speech zone?"

So, we have freedom of speech as long as you do it where the government has regulated that civil liberty to you? WTF?????

From: http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/10/30/bush.campaigning.ap/index.html

Yet Bush was in friendly territory in rural Georgia, a state he twice won comfortably.

In rolled-up shirt sleeves, Bush fired up a basketball gym of roughly 5,000 people. He spoke in front of an enormous U.S. flag.

Protesters were steered to a "free-speech zone" elsewhere on campus.
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  • mammasanmammasan Posts: 5,656
    There where Free Speach Zone during the Republican National Convention in NYC. It was a fenced off area far enough from Madison Square Garden and all the lights and camerasto really be noticed. I'm pretty sure that they had the same set up at the Democratic National Convention.
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • rebornFixerrebornFixer Posts: 4,901
    I am thinking its to prevent total disruption of Bush's little chat with the masses. I can see why they do it, but its still a funny concept on the surface.
  • CosmoCosmo Posts: 12,225
    aNiMaL wrote:
    How disturbing is the phrase: "free-speech zone?"

    So, we have freedom of speech as long as you do it where the government has regulated that civil liberty to you? WTF?????

    From: http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/10/30/bush.campaigning.ap/index.html

    Yet Bush was in friendly territory in rural Georgia, a state he twice won comfortably.

    In rolled-up shirt sleeves, Bush fired up a basketball gym of roughly 5,000 people. He spoke in front of an enormous U.S. flag.

    Protesters were steered to a "free-speech zone" elsewhere on campus.
    ...
    It's a fenced in parking lot where you can say whatever you want as government agents record you.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • hippiemomhippiemom Posts: 3,326
    I remember when the whole country was a free speech zone.

    *sigh*
    "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ MLK, 1963
  • aNiMaLaNiMaL Posts: 7,117
    hippiemom wrote:
    I remember when the whole country was a free speech zone.

    *sigh*
    Yeah, that's kinda where I was going with this as well.
  • mammasanmammasan Posts: 5,656
    hippiemom wrote:
    I remember when the whole country was a free speech zone.

    *sigh*

    Unfortunetly we will probably never see those days again.
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • flywallyflyflywallyfly Posts: 1,453
    mammasan wrote:
    Unfortunetly we will probably never see those days again.

    I believe that is what they would like for us to accept. We dont have to. These people supposedly work for us and they are all (Rep and Dems) needing a reminder that they work for us.
  • mammasanmammasan Posts: 5,656
    flywallyfly wrote:
    I believe that is what they would like for us to accept. We dont have to. These people supposedly work for us and they are all (Rep and Dems) needing a reminder that they work for us.

    True, but untill the public starts viewing voting as a priviledge that they should embrace, we will never get the voter turn out or enthusiasm needed to wrestle control back of our government. People have no interest in voting. Too many don't do it or simply vote down the D or R column because they never took the time to do their homework on the candidates.
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • puremagicpuremagic Posts: 1,907
    reborncareerist wrote:
    I am thinking its to prevent total disruption of Bush's little chat with the masses. I can see why they do it, but its still a funny concept on the surface.


    Free Speech Zone, is that like a designated Smoking area.

    I know your Canadian, so this is not directed at you, however, you kind of set the tone so I'm referencing such.

    Why do we continuously justifiy and make light of the erosion of our fundamental rights as Americans?
    SIN EATERS--We take the moral excrement we find in this equation and we bury it down deep inside of us so that the rest of our case can stay pure. That is the job. We are morally indefensible and absolutely necessary.
  • puremagicpuremagic Posts: 1,907
    hippiemom wrote:
    I remember when the whole country was a free speech zone.

    *sigh*

    The thought of what it would take to get it all back from these politicians, current and in the future is scary.
    SIN EATERS--We take the moral excrement we find in this equation and we bury it down deep inside of us so that the rest of our case can stay pure. That is the job. We are morally indefensible and absolutely necessary.
  • Hope&AngerHope&Anger Posts: 260
    The first time I heard the phrase "free-speech zones" was immediately after Bush got elected, but before 9/11. He couldn't go anywhere without confronting angry protestors. So the Secret Service started cordoning off "free speech zones" at all his public appearances that put the protestors really far away from Bush so he never saw them or heard them.

    It really is an Orwellian phrase, isn't it?
    "Things will just get better and better even though it
    doesn't feel that way right now. That's the hopeful
    idea . . . Hope didn't get much applause . . .
    Hope! Hope is the underdog!"

    -- EV, Live at the Showbox
  • AhnimusAhnimus Posts: 10,560
    I think if they called them "Protest Zones" it wouldn't be so totalitarian. But "Free-Speech Zones" is just rubbing it in your face.

    Pier 57 was a crime against humanity. IMO
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • hippiemomhippiemom Posts: 3,326
    puremagic wrote:
    The thought of what it would take to get it all back from these politicians, current and in the future is scary.
    It makes me so tired just thinking about it. It doesn't seem that most of the public even realizes what's been lost. When I first heard of the "free speech zones" during the '04 campaigns, I naively thought it would be a big issue, but hardly anyone even mentioned it. I don't understand how people can let this go, what sort of convoluted process their minds must go through to justify it, but they don't seem to care.
    "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ MLK, 1963
  • mammasanmammasan Posts: 5,656
    Ahnimus wrote:
    Pier 57 was a crime against humanity. IMO


    Was that where they placed all the protestors rounded up during the Republican convention?
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • AhnimusAhnimus Posts: 10,560
    mammasan wrote:
    Was that where they placed all the protestors rounded up during the Republican convention?

    Yea, it was the old condemned Pier 57 full of asbestos and other chemicals.
    wikipedia wrote:
    Pier 57 is a structure in New York City.

    On August 31, 2004, during the Republican National Convention in New York City, around 1,200 anti-RNC protestors were arrested and sent to a makeshift detention/processing center, which used to house city buses, at Pier 57. (Over 1,800 were arrested during the entire RNC).

    Medical activists (aka street medics) reportedly treated many people held at Pier 57 for chemical burns, rashes, and infections that resulted from direct, prolonged exposure to the motor oil and other contaminants at Pier 57.
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • AhnimusAhnimus Posts: 10,560
    hippiemom wrote:
    It makes me so tired just thinking about it. It doesn't seem that most of the public even realizes what's been lost. When I first heard of the "free speech zones" during the '04 campaigns, I naively thought it would be a big issue, but hardly anyone even mentioned it. I don't understand how people can let this go, what sort of convoluted process their minds must go through to justify it, but they don't seem to care.

    I think most of the people think it only affects people of opposing opinion. Or maybe they aren't the activism types. Or maybe all the people raising a stink about it are locked up in some free-speech zone in the middle of the Arizona desert.
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • AhnimusAhnimus Posts: 10,560
    mammasan wrote:
    There where Free Speach Zone during the Republican National Convention in NYC. It was a fenced off area far enough from Madison Square Garden and all the lights and camerasto really be noticed. I'm pretty sure that they had the same set up at the Democratic National Convention.
    wikipedia wrote:
    Free speech zones were used in Boston at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, after a bid to keep protestors out of downtown Boston was abandoned due to harsh media criticism of its dictatorial implications. The free speech zones organized by the authorities in Boston were boxed in by concrete walls, invisible to the Fleet center where the convention is held and criticized harshly as a 'protest pen' or 'Bostons camp X-Ray'.[4]

    Free speech zones were used again in New York at the 2004 Republican National Convention, after a bid to keep protestors out of the whole city was abandoned due to harsh media criticism of its dictatorial implications.

    The problem is, if you go to a speech of the Pres. and you have a sign that reads "Fuck Bush" you are going to the "Designated" free-speech zone. But if you show up with a sign that reads "Praise Bush" you get front row at the conference.

    That is selective/restricted speech. They only allow supporters into the area where they might be seen on television, all the protesters are cordoned off miles away.
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • mammasanmammasan Posts: 5,656
    Ahnimus wrote:
    Yea, it was the old condemned Pier 57 full of asbestos and other chemicals.


    That was fucking ridiculous how they just rounded up people and tossed them in there. I read stories about innocent bystanders just getting caught up in a sweep and spending a few days in that place. Bless my lucky stars I wasn't one of them.
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • normnorm Posts: 31,146
    aNiMaL wrote:
    How disturbing is the phrase: "free-speech zone?"

    So, we have freedom of speech as long as you do it where the government has regulated that civil liberty to you? WTF?????

    From: http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/10/30/bush.campaigning.ap/index.html

    Yet Bush was in friendly territory in rural Georgia, a state he twice won comfortably.

    In rolled-up shirt sleeves, Bush fired up a basketball gym of roughly 5,000 people. He spoke in front of an enormous U.S. flag.

    Protesters were steered to a "free-speech zone" elsewhere on campus.
    My friends, we are living in some scary times. How can anyone defend this type of abuse of our freedoms?
  • Vedderlution_BabyVedderlution_Baby Posts: 2,535
    Ahnimus wrote:
    Yea, it was the old condemned Pier 57 full of asbestos and other chemicals.


    No fucking way. I don't even know what to say. Well, I do but not anything that wouldn't have the DOD knocking on my door.
  • Pearl Jam and toastPearl Jam and toast Posts: 4,475
    I'm looking forward to college because of these... I actually have something to stand against and bring down on a local level!

    Mobilize!
    Come on pilgrim you know he loves you..

    http://www.wishlistfoundation.org

    Oh my, they dropped the leash.



    Morgan Freeman/Clint Eastwood 08' for President!

    "Make our day"
  • igotid88igotid88 Posts: 27,992
    mammasan wrote:
    There where Free Speach Zone during the Republican National Convention in NYC. It was a fenced off area far enough from Madison Square Garden and all the lights and camerasto really be noticed. I'm pretty sure that they had the same set up at the Democratic National Convention.


    I don't remember hearing about the Dems doing that.
    I miss igotid88
  • mammasanmammasan Posts: 5,656
    igotid88 wrote:
    I don't remember hearing about the Dems doing that.

    You might not remember but they did indeed set up a pen for a free speach zone. Democrats are not that innocent. They are just as bad as the Republicans.
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • AhnimusAhnimus Posts: 10,560
    mammasan wrote:
    You might not remember but they did indeed set up a pen for a free speach zone. Democrats are not that innocent. They are just as bad as the Republicans.

    Yea, I posted it, 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston.
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • keeponrockinkeeponrockin Posts: 7,446
    So, technically, 'NON FREE SPEECH ZONES' exist. Fan-fucking-tastic.
    Believe me, when I was growin up, I thought the worst thing you could turn out to be was normal, So I say freaks in the most complementary way. Here's a song by a fellow freak - E.V
  • AhnimusAhnimus Posts: 10,560
    keeponrockin wrote:
    So, technically, 'NON FREE SPEECH ZONES' exist. Fan-fucking-tastic.

    Well, no, you can say whatever you want, but if you trash talk the Republicans at or near the RNC convention they kick you out. You are still free to say good things about them ;)
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • farfromglorifiedfarfromglorified Posts: 5,696
    aNiMaL wrote:
    Protesters were steered to a "free-speech zone" elsewhere on campus.

    Creepy.
  • CollinCollin Posts: 4,931
    This is the America that constantly boasted about their freedoms?
    THANK YOU, LOSTDAWG!


    naděje umírá poslední
  • Heineken HelenHeineken Helen Posts: 18,095
    flywallyfly wrote:
    I believe that is what they would like for us to accept. We dont have to. These people supposedly work for us and they are all (Rep and Dems) needing a reminder that they work for us.
    It's sad... literally, and I don't mean it in a patronising way... but I do feel sorry for some of you having to live in that. They have made people think that they are not the leaders... but the boss... and everyone works for THEM. I would LOVE to see an uprising over there and I would love to see you all get the government you deserve.
    The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
    Verona??? it's all surmountable
    Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
    Wembley? We all believe!
    Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
    Chicago 07? And love
    What a different life
    Had I not found this love with you
  • sonicreducersonicreducer Posts: 713
    so the pier 57 incident never hit the mainstream media. i didn't know about it until i read the thread. that is insane.
    you're a real hooker. im gonna slap you in public.
    ~Ron Burgundy
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