SOME FREEDOM OF SPEECH - NOT Did You See On Olberman Mother of Soldier kil

[Pallas180]

killed in Iraq giving press interview outside of Laura Bush rally
wearing shirt " President Bush You Killed My Son" being stopped from
talking to press who were taking notes, (and thank gawd there was live video) being arrested and handcuffed - while the reporters saying
you didnt read her her miranda, and they wouldn't tell her why she was
being arrested?

I hope she sues the cops, Laura Bush,The United States of America and the Secret Service for as much as they're worth....Especially Laura Bush....they said she was trespassing while she had a ticket......

Freedom of Speech in America - on video

I have to say I am quitely enraged.

Anybody get her name???? And what city it was?

[AmerDem]

1. here, join this thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x825893

[Pallas180]

6. Amer Dem - that thread has nothing to do with this woman being arrested

I'm sure you mean well, but I tend to be very focused on a particular
point when I'm talking about that point and that point only.

but thanks anyway.

[AmerDem]

32. You are Wrong!

Fellow poster, that thread is there to help that very women you are talking about. It was started by vetwife, a longtime activist for vets and families of vets. The threads deals with a movement to apply pressure to the police department and others involved in her removal and arrest. Take the time to read thru it.

Best to ya.

[tibbir]

2. I heard about this, but I don't know her name.

Wow, my friend and I were thinking she was arrested for what the Bushies would consider trespassing. I didn't think about her having a ticket. So she was - on camera - arrested for having a point of view. Laura Bush, being so sympathetic to the mother of a soldier killed in action, went on with her speech as if nothing had happened. All of the Bush women are cold-hearted assholes.

[flordehinojos]

3. People better start accepting the fact that we are now living under

GESTAPO GEORGE'S REGIME. FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS A THING OF THE PAST.
AND HE IS DOING IT ALL TO UPHOLD, SPREAD AND DEFEND THE BUSH VALUES OF OLD. Prescott Bush, Dorothy Walker Bush, Poppy Bush, Barbara Bush,
their history of 1) trading with the enemy; 2) win at all cost but pretend never to want to win; 3) people who are poor is because they are lazy; we don't owe anyone any explanations--they, instead had better be explaining to us; 4)things are better if they are a dictatorship under our control.

[Pallas180]

5. NEVER NEVER NEVER accept the destruction of your rights - SUE THE BASTIDS

for the rights you are guaranteed as an AMerican. !!!!

[Kanary]

4. The only thing to be thankful for in that situation

Is that at least the reporters were there, documenting the whole thing, and serving as credible witnesses!

Given what so many reporters have become, that is commendable, and I'd write letters if I had any info about who, where, etc.

Thanks for this --- this whole thing needs to go into one more expose' video!!!

Kanary

[NJCher]

7. It was chilling

How they came over and so quickly put cuffs on her. She knew right away what a fiasco it would be if they arrested her so she challenged them. How stupid they were to carry through with that!

This is going to backfire so bad.


Cher

[Pallas180]

8. It's about to be played on CNN Headline News in a minute again

maybe we can catch her name and the place ???

[Pallas180]

9. I hope so NJ CHER...how are ya? this world is spiraling and spiraling

[Pallas180]

11. Sue Niederer, but what city in New Jersey???

?

[nostamj]

36. Hamilton, NJ

town is Hamilton, NJ

major is Glen Gilmore. Democrat. Mayor Gilmore is a member of the Disabled American Veterans Association, honorary member of VFW 491

there is a link to a feedback form on this page:

http://www.hamiltonnj.com/ which goes to the mayor's office.

[Sleepless In NY]

10. Pallas180 her name is Sue Niederer

of Hopewell, N.J., she demanded to know why her son, Army 1st Lt. Seth Dvorin, 24, was killed in Iraq. Dvorin died in February while trying to disarm a bomb.

Watching what they did to her, just broke my heart. I wish there was something, we could do to support her. Anyone have any ideas?

[Pallas180]

12. We could find her phone number or address and send letters of support

and ask her to sue them... for violation of her civil and constitutional rights.

They didn't arrest her inside

They arrested her outside to stop her from talking to reporters

Violation of 1st amendement?

hold on - I'll google to see if I can find more

[Pallas180]

13. It'll be interesting to see how the newspapers spin this.

[Pallas180]

14. Maybe we should call NJ senator and reps tomorrow and complain

.

[Pallas180]

16. And letters to Editor about what happened to Freedom of Speech, NYT, and

LAT and everywhere and to our local papers

Saying

This has gone far enough.
This administration has destroyed everythign America stands for.
A woman is arrested for wearing a shirt not pleasing to Bush?
A woman is arrested for talking to reporters about her son dying
in Iraq for no reason?


along those lines

[Kanary]

18. Great idea! 1-800-839-5276 ---now, we need names of congresscritters

I'm not at my home compuster, so I need help getting the names.

I'll call in the morning.

I really really really really really can't imagine what a grieving mother would be going through, being arrested and going through that crap on top of grieving!

I'm not so sure that I would have been able to do that. What a hero! She is sacrificing herself for us, in order to bring to light of day some of what is going on. I sure hope the ACLU is right there with her, and getting on this as we speak.

That must have taken so much out of her.....

We need to support her however we can!

Kanary

[Pallas180]

20. Directory of Congress Critters-then use free number-1-800-839-5276

DIRECTORY TO CONTACT ANYONE IN CONGRESS


DIRECTORY TO CONTACT ANYONE IN CONGRESS


www.congress.org - for a directory to ANYBODY on the Hill, AND their

local/regional offices.

[Pallas180]

66. kick it - cause this is a good example of making Congress pay attention.

:bounce:

[vetwife]

29. All those numbers are on the Blitz Gold Mom thread...

Check it out !

[Kanary]

60. Sounds like a long search.

You wanna give a link?

Kanary

[Sleepless In NY]

15. Thank You Pallas180!

I'll keep an eye on this thread. I feel just terrible for her.

[Pallas180]

17. Thanks Sleepless and welcome to DU.

:hi:

[alfredo]

19. She has been outspoken about the war

they knew who she was, and that is probably why they arrested her.
She might upset a few people by telling the truth.

[Pallas180]

25. Yes . Hi Alfredo. I googled and she marched in NY at RNC and gave

interviews then...several times. You're right, she has been outspoken,
but supposedly it's your right as an American to speak out...1st Amendment - and especially if you have a dead son in Iraq.

[alfredo]

38. You are correct. My point is, she was probably being watched

by the bush campaign as a potential "trouble maker."

[Pallas180]

42. Alfredo , agreed, they've probably put her name on a list - a woman whose

son died in his oil war and who is grieving about it.

Nixon's enemies list must look like two words in comparison to
dumbson's

[alfredo]

55. I wonder if she will be on a no fly list.

(if she isn't already)

[Pallas180]

61. could be, she ought to check, I wish someone could contact her

and tell her to join this thread.

[Pallas180]

21. AP Report : This is not what we saw on tv -

Woman Disrupts Laura Bush Speech in N.J.

Friday September 17, 2004 12:46 AM


AP Photo NJDH104

By JOHN P. McALPIN

Associated Press Writer

HAMILTON, N.J. (AP) - A woman wearing a T-shirt with the words ``President Bush You Killed My Son'' and a picture of a soldier killed in Iraq was detained Thursday after she interrupted a campaign speech by first lady Laura Bush.

Police escorted Sue Niederer, of Hopewell, N.J., from a rally at a firehouse after she demanded to know why her son, Army 1st Lt. Seth Dvorin, 24, was killed in Iraq. Dvorin died in February while trying to disarm a bomb.

As shouts of ``Four More Years'' subsided, Niederer, standing in the middle of a crowd of some 700, continued to shout about the killing of her son. Secret Service and local police escorted her out of the event, handcuffed her and placed her in the back of a police van.

Niederer was later charged with defiant trespass and released.

[Kanary]

22. So, AP screws it up! I wish Michael Moore or someone with that

capability could get his hands on that video, and show that with the AP report, to let people know just how screwed up our "news" really is!!!

This deserves some real exposure.

Pravda strikes again.

:nuke:

Kanary

[progressivebydesign]

44. If it's in a PUBLIC firehouse, she is NOT trespassing..

How would they justify an arrest??? THis is NOT going to win the hearts and minds of Americans. The disgusting chants of 4-more years to drown out this woman who lost her son (in a war those people have pushed), is disgusting. Disgusting humans those republicans.

[Poisonskin_com]

23. Where's the fuckin Video?

whar whar whar

[Pallas180]

24. On tv. try CNN headline news - they're showing it, but not as much

as Olbermann had. She was outside talking to reporters who were
busily takingnotes and the cops and secret service came over and said
that was enough, took her by the arms, and handcuffed her - in frontof
the reporters who were objecting.

It was not right when they escorted her from the hall.

They came over to where she was talking to reporters outside. They were not in sight. Only after she was giving interview for awhie did
they show up.

Judges have thrown those cases out before....and warned the Secret Service to stop it...

I wish I could remember where that article is...I think it was when they arrested the husband and wife wearing anti bush shirts, somewhere in the South, the judge warned the Secret Service and they agreed to stop.

I see how they pay attention to the law.

[Gloria]

56. Olbermann reported she said she was arrested for "defiant trespass"

She had a ticket and was outside....Not clear if she had been kicked out of the rally or whether she never got it....


PS---Hamilton is in the district of Congressman Chris Smith (R-one issue: abortion)....

Hamilton is pretty corrupt as far as the police dept. ...at least it was when I was down there a little over 5 years ago...(worked in Hamilton)

[Sleepless In NY]

26. Pallas180 Again, thanks! Will call them all

in the morning! Really appreciate your help. Seeing that really upset me. Been reading other threads here, and I was amazed to see so many on that kid losing her sign. This woman lost her son! A Sign versus a Son? I think this world has gone mad.

Thanks again for the info & the welcome. Hope some good can come out of this.

[vetwife]

28. Its here and Pallas and Kanary that thread ws to send a clear message

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/Nomad59/GoldStar.wmv


that people need to know there were no hugs just no Freedom of speech and cuffs. The list is endless to contact people to know that we are losing the right to dissent. That thread had everything to do with what you are saying. We are even trying to send flowers saying Hide the coffins and Jail the parents ! Its angered us !
with black ribbons to the Mayors office or RNC or Rove. Something to get a lot of attention !

[Blue Gardener]

31. Thanks for the link vetwife

I knew I could count on DU! I was absolutely appalled at the way this woman was treated when I watched it on Countdown last night. I'm off to work right now, but I'm sending this out to others later today.

[AmyDeLune]

27. Kick! n/t

[Sleepless In NY]

30. Can Du put this on their homepage?

Might be a good way to get everyone involved. Thanks.

[Pallas180]

43. Sleepless, dont think so, but we have to keep it up by

kicking

[spotbird]

33. Underpants posted the video in GD 2004, it is enough for tears.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=828853#829481

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/Nomad59/GoldStar.wmv

[Pallas180]

34. Call NJ SEN. CORZINE 1-800-839-5276 ask WHAT HAPPENED to FREEDOM of SPEECH

tHE FIRST AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHT TO DISSENT ?????

AND MAKE IT STRONG


WILL LOOK UP OTHER CONGRESS CRITTERS FOR NEW JERSEY.

[Pallas180]

35. HERE'S THE REST OF NEW JERSEY CONGRESS CRITTERS

Senator Jon S. Corzine (D- NJ) 202-224-4744 202-228-2197

Senator Frank Lautenberg (D- NJ) 202-224-3224 202-228-4054

Representative Robert E. Andrews (D - 01) 202-225-6501 202-225-6583

Representative Frank A. LoBiondo (R - 02) 202-225-6572 202-225-3318

Representative Jim Saxton (R - 03) 202-225-4765 202-225-0778

Representative Christopher H. Smith (R - 04) 202-225-3765 202-225-7768
Representative E. Scott Garrett (R - 05) 202-225-4465 202-225-9048

Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D - 06) 202-225-4671 202-225-9665

Representative Michael A. Ferguson (R - 07) 202-225-5361 202-225-9460
Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D - 08) 202-225-5751 202-225-5782

Representative Steven R. Rothman (D - 09) 202-225-5061 202-225-5851

Representative Donald M. Payne (D - 10) 202-225-3436 202-225-4160

Representative Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (R - 11) 202-225-5034 202-225-3186
Representative Rush Holt (D - 12) 202-225-5801 202-225-6025

Representative Robert Menendez (D - 13) 202-225-7919 202-226-0792

[Pallas180]

37. Hello? I'm calling, is anybody else?

:hi:

[Pallas180]

39. remember freedom of speech, the right to dissent? are you

gonna let Laura and dumbass get away with this?

the phone number is 1 800 -- a free call

[Pallas180]

40. They're still showing video and reporting it on the news..do you

think they're trying to tell us somehting about our rights being flushed down the toilet?

It's up to us to complain.

The squeaky wheel get the oil.

They dont do anything in congress unless they hear from a lot of us.

So??

[Pallas180]

41. pls keep it kicked next to the phone numbers .

thanks guys :hi:

[Bushfire]

50. Just called Corzine, they are getting lots of calls. Keep the pressure up

though. All of them need to know about this, and stand up for her. She's been through hell already losing a son for this insane war.

[Pallas180]

54. Hey GREAT..

[SemiCharmedQuark]

45. That is unbelievable. The Bushies are absolute scum.

:kick:

[Pallas180]

49. actually Fascists, in addition to what you say.

[proud patriot]

46. I was able to catch the repeat last night

I compare Olberman's coverage of this to our
local newscast .

Olberman Did not talk over the video , you could
clearly hear her asking the police "why am I being
arrested ?"

Local coverage of the incident The news caster
referred to her as a heckler , Talked over everything
she was saying , so you couldn't hear her asking .
They did convey her T-Shirts messege however .
I was very dissapointed in our local coverage of this .

[Pallas180]

47. Hi Patriot - they sure twist it dont they? Did you hear reporter

yesterday saying..."you didn't read her her miranda rights"?

And today that is cut out.

Olbermann showed the whole thing and the reporters on film with their
jaws dropping and in shock.

But nothing indicating in the news reports, except for Olbermann, and
in the papers that it was a wrong thing.

the bias, the censorship....beyond words and feeelings.

[Pallas180]

48. They're still showing the video on CNN Headline News regularly

please call up the New Jersey Senators and REpresentatives listed here

for free 1-800-839-5276 and ask them what happened to Freedom of Speech and the right to dissent in this country.

If they dont know we care , why would they fight for our freedoms?



Call NJ SEN. CORZINE and all the others for free at this number

1-800-839-5276 ask WHAT HAPPENED to FREEDOM of SPEECH


Call NJ SEN. CORZINE 1-800-839-5276 ask WHAT HAPPENED to FREEDOM of

SPEECH AND SUE NIEDERMAN'S FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS AND THE RIGHT TO

DISSENT ????? THE POLICE STATE IN THIS COUNTRY THAT THE PATRIOT ACT

AND GEORGE W BUSH HAVE INSTALLED IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO THE

CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OR TO AMERICANS. BUSH IS

DESTROYING THE CONSTITUTION AND THE UNITED STATES

AND MAKE IT STRONG

DEMAND THAT THE PERSON WHO ANSWERS READ THE MESSAGE BACK TO YOU OR ASK FOR THE CONGRESS CRITTERS ASSISTANT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO FORCE THEM TO GIVE THE MESSAGE AS YOU WANT AND FORCE THEM TO WRITE IT DOWN!!!!

( If you need an address or zip code use Ramsey or
Mahwah, New Jersey 07446 or whatever NJ address you may have.


HERE'S THE REST OF NEW JERSEY CONGRESS CRITTERS TO CALL


Senator Jon S. Corzine (D- NJ) 202-224-4744 202-228-2197

Senator Frank Lautenberg (D- NJ) 202-224-3224 202-228-4054

Representative Robert E. Andrews (D - 01) 202-225-6501 202-225-6583

Representative Frank A. LoBiondo (R - 02) 202-225-6572 202-225-3318

Representative Jim Saxton (R - 03) 202-225-4765 202-225-0778

Representative Christopher H. Smith (R - 04) 202-225-3765 202-225-7768
Representative E. Scott Garrett (R - 05) 202-225-4465 202-225-9048

Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D - 06) 202-225-4671 202-225-9665

Representative Michael A. Ferguson (R - 07) 202-225-5361 202-225-9460
Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D - 08) 202-225-5751 202-225-5782

Representative Steven R. Rothman (D - 09) 202-225-5061 202-225-5851

Representative Donald M. Payne (D - 10) 202-225-3436 202-225-4160

Representative Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (R - 11) 202-225-5034 202-225-3186
Representative Rush Holt (D - 12) 202-225-5801 202-225-6025

Representative Robert Menendez (D - 13) 202-225-7919 202-226-0792

[Bushfire]

51. Just called Rush Holt's office, encouraging news...

she lives in Rep. Holt's district, and is in regular contact with his office before the arrest. The communication director for Rep Holt said he believes if she reaches out for the Congressman's help, he has no doubt they will do everything they can to help.

I don't think its a good idea to contact her directly, but any pressure we can have on the media to report the full facts will help.

Sen Laughtenberg is well aware of the incident as well as Sen Corzine.

[Pallas180]

53. Thanks Bushfire, This is not the first time they've arrested a

person who was wearing an anti-bush shirt although in her case it's more than that....she was outside talking to reporters, when they
arrested and manhandeled her.

[Bushfire]

52. Kick

:kick:

[Sleepless In NY]

57. Pallas180 Made my calls

thank you for all the phone numbers. When I reached Corzine's office, she said they had been getting alot of calls and was aware of the situation and that she "agreed" with me. She then asked if I would like to be transferred to Senator Lautenberg's office. I was, and then spoke with another woman there who said they were aware and were going to try and do everything they could to help Sue.

Hope this did some good. I feel somewhat better after making the calls, but am still upset by the way she was treated. Only thing I can think of is to keep an eye on the news and see if anything is really done. Maybe give the reps another call next week, just to let them know we havent forgotten?

Any other ideas, please let me know. Once again, thanks for your help!

[Pallas180]

58. Sleepless, you know what bothers me? It's not just Mrs. Sue

Niederlander that needs to be helped. It's all of us....it's that
they, Bush people, the Secret Service and the cops are ignoring
our right to assemble, to dissent, to free speech.

If they think it's just about Sue Niederlander, it's not.

Not for me anyway.

It;s about restoring our rights....and they've got to stand up and fight for them!

I reall respect Senator Lautenberg.

Arent chya glad I broke the ice by calling first???? Lol LOL

I wish other DU'ers who are calling would check in and let us know..
I guess a lot of somebody's are calling.....

????

[Pallas180]

59. D U ers - if you called please check in and tell us . thanks

[vetwife]

62. Last report I got about 300 from here calledmost of those numbers

Three other liberal sites called. I made contact with one of her neighbors who just happened to email me and Vets for Justice has it on the front page with 600 vets for Kerry calling in to the media and the senators.
Thats my report.
thanks folks !

[Pallas180]

63. Thanks VetWife. A lot of people read here who never post -

and I wonder if they do call.

300. Wow. That's great.

Could you ask her neighbor to tell her how we are incensed for her,
and please have her sue the secret service and the local cops if they
did it too.

the Secret Service was told in another case by the judge, I think it was a federal judge, to leave people alone who were dissenting, It was the husband and wife who attended a Bush open air rally wearing anti bush t shirts..pulled out and arrested by SS. ( SS is a good name for Bush's secret service) the secret service agreed, so there is
a precedent set.

She need to tell a lawyer this and sue the pants off them.

Thanks. Vetwife.

It's not just her constitutional rights being violated. ITS ALL OF OURS.. and please tell her she's fighting for all of ours too.

Thanks again

[vetwife]

64. She is one gutsy lady..I have not spoken directly to her but thre is a

poster from another site tht lives next door to her and I have known him for years and is a school teacher as she is. HE told me that she has received so many backups and I mentioned DU. That poster of the other site posts here as well but don't know his name here. I didn't even know he was a DUer until this got brought up and I started hitting the left winged or liberal sites. HE is on several including The S/C.

I was told that she does know that DU and many many sites came to her aide. I was told she was in touch with ACLU and that is where I found out that the fine is between 5 and 10 grand. They will drop charges. The got too many people behind her.
Thank all of you. I hit all the vet sites and was absolutely rabid about this ! Our blitz did make an impact. I too wonder how many called..I sure did !

[Pallas180]

65. too bad, She could have and should sue the pants off them.

I;m so angry.

Vet Wife, please ask her if she will speak out about how our
freedom of speech, freedom to dissent, and 1st Amendement freedoms
have been nullified by Bush and Ashcroft. this needs to be addressed, and her son will not have died in a phony war. He is a hero for being the reason that our loss of freedom is being shown to
the world.

Do you know that there is a long letter to the "resident" about Sue
Niederer on the front page of DU?

And it's a good one!

I'm going to copy part of it and send it to the two newspapers here in
Palm Beach County.

[sffreeways]

68. I didn't see your post before I posted my letter

but anyone that would like to use it to register their disgust with Bush please feel free. Tomorrow I'm sending it to my local paper.

[sffreeways]

67. Her Name is Sue Neirderer

I wrote a piece that was published on the front page today about my outrage.

Here is part of it

My Letter On behalf of Mrs. Niederer

September 18, 2004
By sffreeways

Dear Mr. Bush,

Today I witnessed something that compelled me to write to you again and express my displeasure with your administration. As I watched the evening news I saw a report about the mother of a soldier killed in Iraq who was arrested outside an event where Mrs. Bush was speaking for your re-election campaign. Mrs. Nierderer was taken away in handcuffs by the police for allegedly disrupting the event by shouting some questions at the First Lady. She wanted to know why her son died in this war.

First, I would like to take this opportunity to register my indignation with your policy of only allowing those that agree completely with your policies to be present at events in which you or your surrogates are speaking. Silencing those that wish to protest your positions is in my opinion un-American. I say it’s un-American because I was brought up to believe that the difference between America and those places in the world considered not to be free, like Iraq for example, is our constitution, specifically our first amendment, our right to dissent, to express our heartfelt opinions and to fully participate in our democracy. I hesitate to be so harsh as to call you un-American but in good conscience I must be honest about my strong support for our constitutional right to freedom of expression. I find it shocking that our president and our vice president find it necessary to sanitize all of their appearances and require loyalty oaths from those in attendance while we wage war on the government of Iraq for imposing similar subjugation on it’s people.

In the future I would hope this unfortunate incident involving the mother of one of our bravest killed in action would motivate you to direct those responsible for this policy to reconsider and provide an adequate platform for others like Mrs. Nierderer to express themselves at future events. Surely there is a way to uphold the freedoms so important to Americans while at the same time allowing for these gatherings to have their intended participation. Cages called first amendment zones for the loved ones of those killed in conflict and their supporters or any other American that have been provided thus far as a solution are as offensive as no solution at all. I’ve seen the cages we contain terrorists in and the first amendment zones seem like a larger, dirtier version of the same.

Since you choose make yourself unavailable to the public be it through the tradition of the presidential press conference or to allow the general public to attend your appearances you leave people like Mrs. Neirderer little choice but to shout out to you and your representatives putting themselves in peril of arrest and incarceration. This is a very demeaning and unfair position for the American people to be in and unprecedented in my memory. I’ve followed politics closely most of my adult life and don’t remember any president so distant from the American people.

Your father I recall had press events in which he answered the questions on the minds of our citizens. You are said to be unquestionably sure of yourself, such confidence would be refreshing to see exhibited under the scrutiny of people like Mrs. Neirderer.

You want the American people to believe your supporters when they say “vote for Bush a strong decisive leader that won’t back down from terrorists” yet you appear to be terrorized by any American that disagrees with you. And you have often backed down from any American that challenges your leadership like this grieving mother of a soldier you decided to send to war to die. You taunt the terrorists with tough talk like “bring it on” at your campaign events yet you make these challenges at events where there is no chance you’ll be challenged by your own detractors.

I understand the need to have order at an event in which the President of the United States or the First Lady is speaking but a few citizens shouting out their passionate disagreement with war in which lives are being lost daily is not a threat to you or your spouse’s safety. Mrs. Nierderer obviously meant no harm and was escorted out without incident only to be arrested outside the event in front of a group of journalists far from earshot of anyone in attendance. Since she was outside the building when the arrest occurred there is no doubt that Mrs. Bush’s speech was undeterred by her protestations. Mrs. Nierderer appeared only to be exercising her right to dissent. She appeared to have a ticket to get into the rally. She also explained to the journalists gathered outside that she had written to you about her son and received no response other than a request for a campaign contribution.

There is an irony in this particular aspect of your presidency that is stark and troubling and this incident draws a dramatic parallel. It is that this woman’s son was killed in Iraq so that the people of Iraq might taste the freedom denied by a dictator is arrested while exercising the very definition of freedom in America. This arrest was most definitely made because of her views and not because she was any threat to Mrs. Bush. She was arrested for speaking out against a war her son lost his life in. Her son was fighting that war according to you because the people of Iraq weren’t free to speak out against a tyrant. He died so that America can bring Democracy to the Iraqi people and his mother was arrested for exercising Democracy here in America on his behalf.

It will be no surprise to you at this point in my letter when I say that this war has caused me to feel great shame for my country. I am against this war. The arrest of Mrs. Neirderer brought increased feelings of shame to my heart. This over reaction by the police and other similar incidents I’ve observed and read about frighten me nearly as much as any potential terrorist attack because should this be the direction in which we continue I’m afraid we’ll loose the very freedom our military service members are fighting to bestow upon the citizens of another nation.

Perhaps it wasn’t just her audacity to protest your wife that caused her detainment by the police but the content of her words. It is my understanding that Mrs. Niederer came to the event to ask a question from one mother to another. The report said that she wanted to ask Mrs. Bush why your daughters have not enlisted to assist in this war that so many of our young people have served so courageously in. I think the question is a legitimate one and begs an answer. So I ask you President Bush, when will your daughters, Barbara and Jenna Bush present themselves at the recruiting office of a branch of this countries military and enlist?

My son served his country proudly as a Marine from 1998-2003 and so I too strongly believe that as our President and as a president that has sent the sons and daughters of other Americans to war, that the honorable thing to do, that the responsible thing to do is to compel your daughters to serve also. You owe it to America and to the mothers and fathers and sons and daughters that you have sent to Iraq to send your children there as well. In America if it's good enough for Mrs Neirderer's son it's good enough for your daughters. Frankly, I expected that upon their graduation from college recently we would soon see them both in uniform. Perhaps the Air National Guard in the footsteps of their father is the appropriate branch. Although being in the National Guard isn’t the refuge for the sons and daughters of the affluent that it used to be the twin's enlistment would surely be a shining example to all American’s that service in the Guard is an honorable alternative worthy of the same admiration as Mrs. Neirderer’s son’s service to country. Perhaps such selfless sacrifice on their part would appease those Americans that question the honor of your own service. If they don't serve you could atleast out of respect for Mrs. Neirderer answer the question. Put me on the list of Americans that want to know why your daughters aren't serving in Iraq.

In closing I must express that my heart assures me that you will intervene in Mrs. Nierderer’s situation and relieve her of further anguish as I am certain you empathize with her pain and wish her no more harm. Surely you understand there is nothing worse for a mother than the agony of losing a child to violence. She has paid the ultimate price and certainly should be spared from any legal action against her for her expression of disagreement and dismay. Her position with the authorities is without question one in which your assistance and intervention is morally required. I believe you owe her a personal apology and I hope one will be offered immediately.

I appreciate your attention to this very important matter and anticipate your response to my correspondence. I thank you in advance for your prompt reply.

If you would like to speak with me directly feel free to call. You have my number

http://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/04/09/18_letter.html