Criminal Citation for Political Bumpersticker!

[f-bush]

I was just listening to the news on my way back from dropping off my daughter at school and out blared at me:

An Emory University oncology nusre just recieved a 100.00 citation for having an obscene bumper sticker on her car, from a DeKalb, Georgia police officer.
What did it say? "No more Bushit" Now I have seen those all over the place.

I would like DU's opinion, because maybe I am over reacting:

My questions are:

First of all Bushit, isn't even a word, so how can that be obscene.

Secondly and more importantly: Isn't political speech supposed to be protected over ALL other types of speech?

I could see if it actually had the word "shit" in it, then maybe the cop might be justified in giviong her a ticket as a "test" case over thaty word. But this to me stinks purely of a political motive.

I would think the ACLU would wnat to get involved in this.

I guess the reason I react strongly is that I saw very clearly how laws that look harmless on their face can chill speech. 15 years ago I ran for US Congress against a very conservative and entrenched Democrat in name only opponent.

The city of Tacoma at that time had an ordinance (as did most cities in the state) restricting the time placement of campaign yard signs. This law was written by opponents to protect themselves, as for an under funded challenger the only resource basically is yard signs. I put mine out early and the city came to people's door steps and said take the signs out of the yard or out of your, OR face a fine for the first 5 days and then criminal sanctions. We took the case to the Supreme Court and won 9-0. The basis was that POLITICAL SPEECH IS TO BE PROTECTED OVER ALL OTHER SPEECH" collier-vs-tacoma 1993.

So my last question is: what are WE going to do about it? I feel that this is just one instance on the slippery slope to fascism. Let this go by and then what next might happen?

I would love to see a inundation of letters to DeKalb, may be protest or what ever.

Thanks for reading this long post, but to me, it is the "little" every day assaults that will nick us to death! -Peace-Mike

[windy252]

1. It is a free speech issue

and if I'm not mistaken, the ACLU has already commented on the case supporting the nurse.

[MadMaddie]

2. I am glad to hear the ACLU is getting involved...

that the law is not being enforced equally....

No you are not over reacting...People need to file complaints about the Repug bumper stickers also and say they are offending.....when these complaints are not followed up by the police...now you have a real court fight...

[CottonBear]

3. See my thread. Ms. Grier lives in my town. The GA ACLU is on the job!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=745337&mesg_id=745337

She'll win in court because the GA Supremne Court already ruled, over a decade ago, that a "Shit Happens" sticker was protected free speech and NOT lewd. Also, the GA Supreme Court has good judges NOT appointed by Republican wingnuts including the Chief Justice, Leah Sears, who is the first black woman to ever hold this post in Georgia!

[goddess40]

4. ACLU to the rescue

One of my fellow protesters in WI was given a ticket for carrying a sign that said, "This war is Bushit." The city attorney gave the officer permission to issue the ticket for disorderly conduct. We got right on it and notified the ACLU. They took over and the citation was dismissed. The city attorney came out looking like a fool as he tried to back track and say it was all just a misunderstanding.

[sutz12]

5. What's the obscene part? "Shit" or "Bush" nt

[abluelady]

6. I Wish Someone Would Stop Me

Imho, this is so good for our side. If the other sode is having to worry about bumper stickers, they are obviously searching for support. Hopefully just more grasping for straws from them.